MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2018 AN EVENING SUN PUBICATION Bandera family hopes to serve 1,000 free meals in Norwich on Christmas day By Grady Thompson Sun Staff Writer [email protected] NORWICH – The Bandera Family & Community Alliance will bring its free Christmas dinner to the Norwich American Legion on A hometown daily Christmas day this year, off ering a warm home- for the holidays made meal and fellowship to anyone who needs it. Since 1989 Bandera Every year we at the Evening Sun have tried Family & Community our best to take part in the true meaning of the Alliance has served a holidays. For several years our staff has volun- Christmas dinner in teered and/or covered holiday events in our area. Binghamton, free and open Each year it has reminded me that the true spirit to anyone in need of a meal For the fi rst year the Bandera Family & Community Alliance will bring its free Christmas day dinner to Norwich, providing a homemade meal and good company to anyone in need on December 25. of this season is about giving. or company for the holiday. (Photo courtesy of Bandera Family & Community Alliance) This year it is expanding For the fi rst time this year we are creating its off erings from Broome lowship with other people, The Bandera Family helpline at 2-1-1 to log Hometown Holidays. We hope the section County to a location in have a nice hot meal, and free Christmas dinner will your name, address, loca- reminds our readers of the friendly community Norwich, with free delivery just enjoy the day should be held from 1 p.m. to 4 tion, and number of meals, in Chenango County, and how our close inter- options available as well they not be able to aff ord it p.m. on Christmas day which will then be forward- connections can be our best strength. as a sit-down location at or they just don’t want to be at American Legion Post ed to the Bandera Family This year we’re trying something new — a American Legion Post 189 alone,” said Bill Bandera, 189 located at 29 Sheldon & Community Alliance. for residents of the greater whose parents found- Street in Norwich. It is free Meals can be ordered until community calendar that you can pull out and Norwich region. ed the Bandera Family & and open to the public. 5 p.m. on December 21. keep on your wall for the month of December with “We want people to Community Alliance in If you would like to reg- If you are interested in all kinds of holiday events and happenings listed know we’re there, they 1989. “We’ll provide them ister to have a meal deliv- volunteering to assist with on it with room for you to jot down your own. have someplace they can a nice place and make ered on Christmas day, you the dinner, call Donations of good will, volunteering of time, actually go to and have fel- them feel like family.” can call the United Way CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Î donations to charity, all these things will likley have a near positive eff ect on someone you know personally. It’s a small town with a big heart. American Legion cornhole tournament One of the highlights at The Evening Sun is the opportunity to pitch in and help the amaz- benefi ts Toys-for-Tots ing organizations around Chenango County, but it also helps bring attention to the work these branch of the Marine Toys- towards the local Toys-for- nament, Sarpriacone said By Grady Thompson groups are already doing, and they defi nitely Sun Staff Writer for-Tots Foundation ahead Tots. the legion will be raffl ing deserve the recognition. [email protected] of the holiday season. Tournament registrants off a set of cornhole boards A registration fee of $10 will be accepted in advance painted by Rick Hansen to No matter where we go or who we meet at a person will be charged to as well as through the day a lucky individual. NORWICH – Norwich these events, they tend to share the same kind of participants, and Norwich of the event. To register or In 2017 the Norwich American Legion Post 189 warm atmosphere. At each corner of conversa- American Legion Post 189 if you have any questions, Toys-for-Tots delivered will host a cornhole tour- tion you can hear a muffl ed laugh, a story about Board President George call the post or Sarpriacone toys to over 2,000 children nament at 11:30 a.m. on someone’s Christmas or just a plain, “thank you” Sarpriacone said 100 per- at (607) 334-9414 or (607) in need. 100 percent of Saturday, December 8 to cent of proceeds will go 859-2549. funds donated to the local or “hello.” raise money for the local Interested individuals Toys-for-Tots benefi ts chil- Thank you to all of those involved with these can also stop in the post to dren in the Norwich area. great organizations and for helping those in our register in advance or on If you are unable to community who need it most. the day of the tournament. participate but would still Many give so freely with their time, it is an Norwich American Legion like to donate to Norwich Post 189 is located at 29 Toys-for-Tots, visit www. example we all should follow during the holiday’s Sheldon Street in Norwich. marinetoysfortots.salsal- and all throughout the year. Registration will take abs.org/localdonation- Wishing you and yours a warm holiday season place from 10 a.m. to 11 form/index.html?fun_ and a very Happy New Year. a.m. on December 8 before local_campaign_designa- the tournament kicks-off tion=NY-Norwich. at 11:30 a.m. The length For more information on — Sun Managing Editor Tyler Murphy of the tournament will the Norwich Toys-for-Tots, Norwich American Legion Post 189 will host a cornhole tourna- depend on the number of visit www.norwich-ny. ment at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 8 to raise money participants, Sarpriacone toysfortots.org/local-co- for the local branch of the Marine Toys-for-Tots Foundation. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8 and registrants will said. ordinator-sites/lco-sites// / be accepted through the day of the event. (AP fi le photo) In aadditionddittioon too thethe tour-touo rr- dedefault.aspx.faultt.aspxp . 2 Hometown Holidays — The Evening Sun — Norwich Monday, December 3, 2018 Steve Craig joins Mid-York Concert Band for holiday concert By Grady Thompson Economic Development Sun Staff Writer Council of the Southern Tier. NORWICH – The Mid- Sands said other tunes York Concert Band and set to be part of the Mid- director Mark Sands will York Concert Band’s rep- present their fourth annu- ertoire during this year’s al holiday concert on concert will include “Celtic Carol,” “Cowboy Tuesday, December 11, this Christmas,” “Chanukah year joined by President/ Collage,” along with a CEO of Commerce number of others. Chenango Steve Craig as a The Mid-York Concert celebrity narrator. Band has been rehearsing The concert will take since kicking-off its fourth place at 7:30 p.m. on season on September 11. Tuesday, December 11 in It went into this year com- the Norwich High School prised of 45 local musi- auditorium, again featur- cians before extending the ing seasonal favorites such invitation to interested as Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh local musicians to join. Its Ride” and “’Twas the Night members hail from with- Before Christmas”––the in Chenango County, and latter of which will be nar- as far away as Oneonta, rated by Craig. Morrisville, and Madison The Mid-York Concert Band’s fourth annual holiday concert will Craig became President/ County. take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11 in the Norwich CEO of Commerce Now in its fourth year, High School auditorium. (Frank Speziale photo) Chenango in 2011 fol- the band’s annual fl agship lowing a 33-year career concerts include its holi- The Mid-York Concert Band in television broadcast- day concert and salute to ing. As CEO, he leads the veterans, which takes place announced it will be joined by Chenango County Chamber in May. President/CEO of Commerce of Commerce and serves Admission to the Mid- as Executive Director of York Concert Band’s fourth Chenango Steve Craig for this year’s both the Development annual holiday concert is holiday concert on December 11. Craig Chenango Corporation free, but free-will dona- and the County of tions will be accepted at will narrate the band’s rendition of Chenango Industrial the door. Agency. Additionally, If you have any questions Director of the Mid-York Concert Band, Mark Sands, conducting “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” he’s Chenango County’s or for further information, the band during a 2017 rehearsal. (Frank Speziale photo) designee to the Regional call (607) 334-4307. CHRISTMAS SPECIAL NOW THRU DEC. 24th Buy a $100 Gift Card & Receive a $30$30 GiftGift CertificateCertificate FREEFREE** Gift certificate will be valid after Dec. 25th. Buon DON’T MISS IT! * Gift certificates will only be valid at store where the original card was purchased. Natale! SOLD AT ALL LOCATIONS! Pizzeria and Ristorante 1 Main St., Oxford, NY Italian Restaurant 25 Union St. Corner S. Canal St., 607-843-5255 32 South Broad St., Norwich Sidney Oxford 563-8888 843-6555 Monday-Saturday 11 am to close; 607-334-6278 Open 7 days a week Open 7 days a week Sunday noon to close Open 7 Days A Week Monday, December 3, 2018 Hometown Holidays — The Evening Sun — Norwich 3 Bandera family Earlville Christmas Celebration hopes to serve 1,000 brings full day of festivities free meals EARLVILLE – The park.