Our community Christmas tree is up. Thanks to everyone who did a little drawing for it!

A photo of Lee doing the finishing touches and stringing the metal ‘tinsel’ with washer ‘baubles’.

You may have seen the Blind Date with a Book stand at Station Street, but did you know that we also have a ‘home’ version that we put out on our corner? It is usually out there on Thursdays, and will also have it out this Saturday at the Makers Market. This stand also hosts our Craftberry Jam jars.

So … you can pop past for a free mystery book and a free crafty project. So much community goodness!

Here’s a photo of Scout and her owner, when they stopped to take a look last week.

Alphingtonians who have been missing Friday night family fun at the Alphington Bowls Club will be VERY pleased to hear that barefoot bowls has resumed on Friday nights from 4pm.

Bar service. A gorgeous (and handy) location in Alphington Park. Pop in and catch up properly with all those people you have been smiling at (behind your mask) as you’ve been out on your neighbourhood walks for the last six months …

This week our letter to the neighbourhood is from an arts festival producer. And it’s quite a sobering read. For those households impacted by the shutdowns but NOT eligible from Jobkeeper this letter really brings home what a tough year it has been. Collect your letter from the butcher shop window and find out how your neighbour has managed … and read about the dilemmas and challenges her family faced.

How interesting is this project? Helping us all have a bit of a wider view and more empathy …

We had our community art bin out last weekend with bits of wood, sharpies and instructions, and asked people who stopped by to draw a little picture for the scrap wood community Christmas tree that we we are making.

Thanks to everyone that took the time to do a picture or a pattern. They were all pretty cute.

Note, there may still be more bits of painted timber that Lee will be putting out over the coming week … so keep your eyes peeled if you are walking past. We’d love you to contribute too!