Where is March shameless self-promotion? Change in focus

Normally, the beginning of each month, or as close as I can rouse myself, I try to shamelessly self-promote my articles in the Sturbridge Times Magazine.  That practice is ending and this site will go back to its old purpose of promoting film, TV and video in the Western Central Massachusetts region

Efforts to start a film bureau in the region have not borne fruit to date, despite a few meetings with people who were interested.  Recognizing that, Hollywood in  Sturbridge will serve as an ad hoc film bureau and forum toward that end.  More on that later.

Shameless self-promotion will now be done at the writing blog I maintain under my pen name, http://rmorchoe.blogspot.com/ .  Please visit.

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self-Promotion-February edition

Winter has cruelly set in, but the Sturbridge Times Magazine is out as is it's sister publication, the Auburn Times Magazine as well.  At least there is something to warm us.

Well, time to self-promote.  On Page 8 is my review of Kevin Philips 1775 A Good Year for Revolution.  Did we do it all in that year and was everything else an anticlimax.  Read it and judge for yourself.  (Page 4 in the Auburn Times Magazine)

It's time to get serious about our fiscal problems.  Yes my fellow citizens, it is time to tax the poor.  See my column on Page 20.  (Page 18 in the Auburn Times Magazine)

My work is published with my pen name, Richard Morchoe.  So I hope you will look for that moniker in the articles.  Also, please check out my writing blog here.

One other aspect of the magazine you may want to look at is the Sturbridge Readers' Choice Awards.  What's best in the region, open to Page 4 to find out.

there are many other writers doing good work at both magazines.  Check out newstands or the website here.

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self-Promotion-December edition

 

December is here and I am starting to get worried.  This does not go down well with my fellow citizens in the region, but I am hoping, if not praying for a harsh winter.  Yup, the lovely weather and temp outside is great only if you liked the plethora of mosquitoes last summer.  There was other obnoxious wildlife in profusion as well.  The squirrels were so plentiful and bold that one actually came up to the window, knocked and asked if the kitchen was open and could he see a take-out menu.  Okay, I'm exaggerating, but a season of cold would knock back some of the vermin and make working in the garden at least less unpleasant.  I know, I whined about this last month.  Let's hope the climate improves (or do I mean deteriorates?).

The 
Sturbridge Times Magazine is out and it is time to self-promote. On Page 8 is my review of the African novelist Chinua Achebe's account of the heartrending tragedy of the Biafran war.  Never heard of it?  Something for the history challenged.


On a happier note, When people think of Gilbertville, well people don't think of Gilbertville all that often.  Rose32 is a bakery that may not make the little burg the gastronomical capital of New England, but it is a jewel.  Read about it on Page 16.


I didn't think so then, but George McGovern was right.  See Page 24.


My work is published with my pen name, Richard Morchoe.  So I hope you will look for that moniker in the articles.  Also, please check out my writing blog here.


I'm not the only one who writes for the Sturbridge Times Magazine.  There are many other articles for your reading pleasure.  So look for it on a newstand.  If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at the Sturbridge Times Magazine website.  It should be up in a day or two

It's back this Sunday, White Christmas in West Brookfield

“WHITE CHRISTMAS IN WEST BROOKFIELD”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2012, 11:30 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

WEST BROOKFIELD, MA…Come to the Celebration on Sunday, December 2, 2012 to help us commemorate our 20^th annual White Christmas.  The day will include both the traditional activities and some new and exciting events.

The day’s festivities will begin with a free puppet show featuring the Pumpernickel Puppets starting at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall, the upper level of our Town Hall.  The presentation will include “The Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Lion and the Mouse”.  The show is appropriate for ages 3 and older.

Beginning at Noon shops, churches, banks, the Elementary School, Library, Senior Center, Fire Department and the Quaboag Historical Museum will host Open Houses designated by white flags.  Free raffles and refreshments will be available.  Craft shows can be found at Ye Olde Tavern and Quaboag Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center featuring many local artisans.

Kids don’t miss out on our “Elf Hunt”.  Search for elves and get your card stamped at 9 of the Open Houses to spell CHRISTMAS and win a prize.  Elf cards can be picked up at the Puppet  Show or at participating Open Houses.

Another new activity will be the “Sugar & Spice” Gingerbread House contest.  Entry forms are available at the Senior Center, Merriam-Gilbert Library, Purple Onion or Post & Boot.  Judging will be in three categories, children 12 and under, adults, and groups.  There will also be a “People’s Choice Award”.  Viewing and voting will be held at the Senior Center from Noon to 3 p.m. Your vote counts!  While you are there you can also have refreshments and hear The Silvertones at 1:00.

In addition the West Brookfield Elementary School will have Elves”R”Us gift sale from Noon to 3:00 p.m. and Boy Scout Troop 118 will be having a bake sale.  The Merriam-Gilbert Library will have their Friend’s Raffle Table and will display a “Mitten Tree” accepting donations of new hats, mittens, scarfs and gloves to benefit a charity.

Food will be available at the Fire Department, try out their homemade chili and chowder from Noon to 5:00 p.m. and check out the fire engines.  Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church will offer a hot repast from 12:30 to 3:00.  The First congregational Church will serve a luncheon beginning at Noon and stay open until 6:00 p.m. should you need to warm up before the Tree Lighting.  The George Whitefield Methodist Church will serve donuts and cider from 1:00 to 4:00 and have a craft corner to browse through.

The traditional free horse drawn wagon rides will run from 2:00 to 5:00 while the Scouts serve up hot chocolate.  You may even run into Frosty and/or Father Christmas as they mingle with the sidewalk crowd.

The final events of the day will include the much anticipated Tree lighting on the Common at 5:45 p.m. accompanied by a sing-a-long led by Rob Adams.  The music will continue with a concert  in the Great Hall to begin at 6:15 presented by the Quaboag Choral Society under the direction of Eric von Bleiken .  Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted to benefit the local food pantry.

The booklet of program events, including the location of open houses, will be available at local businesses.  Support for this community event comes from area merchants advertising in the booklet, as well as individual donations made to the “Adopt-a-Light” campaign.  The 20^th Annual White Christmaas festival is an event that the community is especially proud of and will surely warm your hearts.  For additional information, please call Charlotte Boos, Chairperson, at 508-867-7703 or 508-867-5934.

CALENDAR  - Sunday, December 2, 2012, 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. – White Christmas, West Brookfield, MA

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self-Promotion-November edition

It is November and there is a feeling of winter in the air.  I know this is terrible to say, but I am hoping for cold and snow.  Be assured, I am not a lover of either.  Unfortunately, the warm weather last year meant the infestation of mosquitoes was an order of magnitude worse than in prior years.  So bring on the freeze.

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out and I have a couple of offerings.  On Page 5 is my review of a book written in 1952.  Kurt Vonnegut's Player Piano was prophetic about a future that is coming closer each day.

My column is about a reform that is desperately needed.  We must move the national capital to .....Wyoming.

My work is published with my pen name, Richard Morchoe.  So I hope you will look for that moniker in the articles.

I'm not the only one who writes for the Sturbridge Times Magazine.  There are many other articles for your reading pleasure.  So look for it on a newstand.  If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com.

Halloween is the folk new year of the Celt, or so they say.  No expert, I'll defer to others.  Of course, you don't have to have the history perfect to enjoy good music.  A couple of virtuosi, Samantha Gillogly & Tim Maurice will be of help.  Here is the notice for an event they will play at.

Celtic New Year – An Evening of Celtic Chamber Music

Friday, November 2nd, 2012 from 7-8pm

Celebrate autumn and the Celtic New Year with an evening of Celtic Chamber Music.  New England-based violin/piano duo Samantha Gillogly & Tim Maurice perform a crossover genre combining the haunting, dynamic melodies of the Celtic tradition with the grace and lyricism of Classical-style chamber music.  At once contemplative, uplifting, and energetic, this concert is a conversation between violin and piano through the rich landscape of the Celtic spirit.  (CD signing and refreshments to follow performance.)

Visit the musical duo’s website

Tickets are $5 for this acoustic performance.

Location: The Arts Center - 111 Main St., Southbridge, MA

Socks for Siberia is hosting “An Evening with Natasha Borzilova”

I am passing this on from Michelle and Wally  If you don't know what Socks for Siberia is, you may want to check out the website linked below:

Hello Family, Friends & Supporters!

HELP us sell out our next event! ONLY 16 tickets left! We’re hoping to have Natasha play to a full room!

Because we have to finalize attendance numbers in the next few days – there will be no tickets available at the door.

We are very excited to report that we received an offer from longtime “Socks For Siberia” supporter and singer/songwriter Natasha Borzilova and Hadley Music Group in Nashville, Tennessee to perform a private concert to raise some money for our Mission, as she will be in this area in October for two other scheduled performances.  Natasha is the former lead vocalist for the band “Bering Strait” who came to the United States from Russia in 1996. The band achieved prominence in 2003 after releasing their first album “Bering Strait” being nominated for a Grammy Award and featured in a segment on the news program “60 Minutes.”  In 2005 they released their second album “Pages.” Unfortunately, the band dissolved in 2006. Natasha then decided to pursue a solo career and has sustained national recognition for the release of three albums, “Cheap Escape,” “Balancing Act,” and most recently “Out of My Hands.”

“With her newest CD, Out Of My Hands, Natasha Borzilova solidifies her place among the brightest and most talented singer/songwriters of her generation. The eleven songs that comprise this work explore relationships and life stories in a deeply personal yet peaceful perspective and it comes off exceedingly well. Natasha has always had one of the finest voices and musically fresh approaches of anyone in this genre. Out of My Hands shows that she is as capable as anyone of crafting lyrics to match her other exceptional talents. This CD is certain to become a classic. -Craig Huegel/The Monday Morning Show, WMNF,Tampa, Florida”

So, to compliment both Natasha and those of you who want to enjoy a very special evening of music, storytelling, and fellowship with Natasha, (and help raise some money for the children we support!) we have put together an event and venue for all attending to be able to truly enjoy her talents and performance.

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, at the Leicester Country Club, 1430 Main Street, Leicester, Mass. 01524, come and join us for “An Evening with Natasha Borzilova” 

Cocktails at 5:30pm (cash bar) with an International and Domestic cheese display with Swedish Meatballs; followed by an Elegant Dinner Buffet at 6:15pm including mixed greens with house dressing, pasta salad with fresh vegetables, chicken piccata, filet of sole stuffed with baby spinach, shrimp and lemon sauce, and Chef’s selected vegetable, rice and potato. Fresh strawberry shortcake for dessert served with tea and coffee

Natasha will then play two 45 minute sets starting at 7:15pm, with a break in between to meet with the audience and will have her cd’s available for purchase and autographs.

Individual tickets are $50.00 each and a table of eight persons can be purchased for $375.00. This price includes dinner, concert, and donation. To order tickets - email  socksforsiberia@charter.net
; or call 508-637-1248. Advance payment will be required and can be made by mailing a personal check or money order made payable to Socks For Siberia, 122 Long Hill Road, Brookfield, MA 01506 or you may pay by PayPal or credit card through our website at www.socksforsiberia.org  and note the event date 10/13/2012 and tickets will then be mailed to you, or they can be picked up at the door on the night of the event.

Please visit Natasha’s website www.natashaborzilova.com  and Amazon.com for more information about her and listen to some music samples.

Please feel free to call or email us for more information.

Hope to see you there!

Michele & Wally Connor
Socks For Siberia