Happy New Year everyone! May 2014 be a good year for you and your loved ones. Each year at
this time I’m reminded of our first years in Rome, Italy when it was customary to greet the Anno
Nuovo by throwing out the old so as to start the year afresh. That meant more than reflecting
on the past year and letting go of things in a psychological sense. It meant literally throwing
things you no longer wanted out the windows of your apartment to the streets below every
New Year’s Eve! That could be a danger if you were celebrating out on the streets, or coming
home after a party, but the following day you would never know because the street cleaners
were out early to clear the way for all as a symbol of a new start.
We at MAC are Americanizing this tradition by starting our New Year with a Tag Sale on
Saturday, February 8 and are asking for you to think of us as you get rid of the old. We are
certainly not suggesting that you throw anything out of your windows or onto the street. But
we are suggesting that you do bring us those “things” you no longer want and that someone
else could use. This tag sale is a first for us, although tag sales are not a new idea. It is also a
fund-raiser and we are hoping for a great turn out. We seek household items and lightly used
clothing for children up to 10 years of age only. So please be generous with your offerings and
then return to pick up some bargains for yourselves! Drop off dates are on (Tuesdays) January
14, 21, and 28 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM, and on (Saturdays) January 18, 25, & February 1 from 10:00
AM -12 noon
Another thing I am asking is for each of you to renew your membership for 2014 this month if
you haven’t already. Thank you very much if you have. You know that it is your – our – dues that
sustain the Arts Center and all our activities. Without this financial support we would not exist
as a regional center for the arts. You will find the membership form on our website
www.marlborougharts.org under the membership link. Print it out, add a check for your dues,
and mail it in to us at 231 North Main Street.
The new year means that our 4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe will be back, this month on Friday,
January 24 from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. starring Larry Gareau, the well-known trumpeter and vocalist
who is on the Faculty at both the Hartt School, from which he is a graduate, and Central
Connecticut State University. Larry and his pianist present an easy listening Jazz program,
interspersed with wonderful stories of the musicians whose tunes they play, many of whom
Larry has worked with professionally from Tony Bennett to The Irish Tenors, to Lynyrd Skynyrd .
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., so come early to browse the wonderful art show in the Art Gallery and
the unique creations in the newly renovated Gift Shop, all available for sale by cash or check.
As in the past, admission at the door is $8/individual and $15 for two, BYOWine with other
refreshments available. These musical evenings are always warm and inviting, with close
interaction between the musicians and the audience. Great fun!
I hope to see many of you throughout the year, and for good weather as we begin 2014. But
this is New England; we know how to cope with the vagaries of weather. Be safe & warm. Joan Lester lee.lester@att.net
