Consumer healthcare company Reckitt Benckiser is among the FMCG giants working around the clock to ensure a constant supply of hygiene products to Australian retailers amid growing fears over global health pandemic, COVID-19.

In recent weeks, consumers have flooded supermarkets to stock up on healthcare product and household essentials, leaving shelves of most supermarkets stripped bare for hours on end.

Glenn Cochran, regional directorRBHealthANZ told Inside FMCG that the business is working globally to ensure supplies to retailers and end-consumers are impacted as little as possible during this volatile time.

We have seen an unprecedented increase in demand for a range of products since COVID-19 began, he said. We have also seendemand increase across otherRBHealthproducts including Dettol household cleaners and personal wash solutions, as well as Nurofen and Nurofen for Children products.

We areworking around the clock with our various global teams to provide Australians with hand hygiene and analgesic products.

Demand surged following therecommendation from the WorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)to practice good hand hygienebyfrequently washing hands using soap and water andbyusing an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, Cochran explained.

With consumers growing increasingly anxious over the limited access to health products, Cochran said the company is doing its best to ensure fair distribution.

We are maintaining ongoing conversations throughout our supply chain toensure ongoing supply is shared equitably among retailers so that consumers have accessibility to the available stock, while weexpedite anincrease in production.

He also highlighted the importance of educating consumers on health and self-care during times like this.

RBHealths mission is to makeaccesstothe highest quality hygiene and wellnesssolutions for all Australiansa right not a privilege.Our goal is forRBHealthbrands, including Dettol, to use its brand footprint to educate consumers on self-care and we will continue to do so throughout this current situation and for the long term, he added.

Dettol runs a HealthyHabits school education initiative to teach kids good hygiene practices.

Bubs Australia has also applied additional measures to its supply chain for its infant formula product range such as Bubs Goat Milk formula and Bubs Organic Cow Milk formula to meet increased demand from parents who need to secure supplies for their babies.

We have greatly increased our capacity and are working to expand our inventory cover and meet the supply needs of our retail partners across both goat milk and organic grass-fed cows milk-based formula, moving to two shifts per day, with capacity to move to three shifts if required, said Carr.

The infant formula maker is working with retailers such as Coles, Woolworths, Big W and Chemist Warehouse to ensure the supply of Bubs Organic 365 days Grass Fed Infant Formula range and Bubs Australian Goat Milk infant formula range.

Carr said Bubs has extended free shipping offer for all orders of baby food and infant formula via their website.

As always, our first concern is for the health and safety of the Bubs Family. For our Bubs Corporate office, we have implemented arrangements to underpin business continuity and the continued health and well being of our people to the greatest extent possible in these testing times, Carrsaid.

Earlier this month, toilet paper manufacturers including Kimberly-Clark were the first to ramp up production to meet the surge in demand from panicked consumers.

Supermarkets were forced to suspend online services this week as shortages hampered their ability to fulfill orders.

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Reckitt Benckiser working 'around the clock' to maintain supply of hygiene products - Inside FMCG

I watched in horror as the half cup of uncooked Jasmine rice slipped from my hands and scattered across the carpet floor. The metal measuring cup ricocheted off the ground, projecting rice in every which way. This was my first attempt to prepare a Zen cuisine meal and, from a Zen perspective, I was having an abysmal start. My mind raced to my closet where my vacuum sat waiting and without hesitation my legs meandered to the corner. It was the quick and effortless solution. The uncooked rice that laid on the ground had already changed names, from food to trash. How did throwing away perfectly edible food become so natural to me?

That label-change is all too familiar in our consumerist world. The moment we dislike food or feel full, the excess is considered trash. The USDA reports that in the U.S., 30 to 40 percent of the food supply becomes food waste. Thats over $160 billion worth of wholesome food that could help feed the world is instead thrown out each year in the U.S. alone. Once again, we choose the quick and effortless solution to deal with our excess of food.

At that moment a quote from Instruction for the Tenzo, a Buddhist historical text I had been reading by Zen Master Dgen began to echo through my head.

Treat food as if they are your own eyeballs.

I acknowledge that the saying is both striking and quirky; however, it holds a short and powerful message. Food should be respected and cared for, not wasted. Uncooked rice that falls to the ground shouldnt become trash; it remains as food and something to be treasured. The root of this saying comes from Zen teachings; however my imagination at the time interpreted it more directly and flew to a mental image of a small suburban town of hazel-eyed residents being terrorized and sucked into the sky by a vacuum cleaner. I quickly shrugged it off. Maybe the thing I should be worried about is how I (and many others) have been conditioned to view excess food as trash.

I got down on my knees and began collecting the tiny eyeballs, piece by piece. I scanned the floor; my attention narrowed as I pinched and plucked from the tightly corded carpet. My movement became rhythmic and soothing. The experience reminded me of weeding. I once despised the task as my parents dragged me outside to the family garden to remove blades of grass from the mulchy soil. However, as I got older it became a practice I learned to appreciate. Both while weeding and rice collecting, I enjoyed slowly creating order out of chaos. Once again, the measuring cup was filled with rice.

For the last several weeks, I have reflected on the principles of Zen Buddhism. Zen philosophy emphasizes mindfulness, choosing to act thoughtfully and not impulsively, a life of meditation and reflection, acknowledging the interconnectedness between all forms of existence and living in simplicity and tranquility. These ideas may sound convoluted or foreign; however, they are applicable to how we treat unwanted food. Zen Buddhism asserts a holistic dogma of the world, stating that all actions and events are inherently connected. It is understood that the food on our plate is not only there to feed ourselves, but to feed all beings on Earth.

In Instruction for the Tenzo, Dgen describes the role of the Tenzo, which is the position of head cook. He claims that the Tenzo is the most important position held within the monastery and emphasizes the attention to detail and respect for food needed to perform the job. When explaining how to cook with varying ingredients, he says, your attitude towards things should not be contingent upon their quality.

We spend most of our lives preparing, washing, cooking, gathering and eating food. Food is a direct reflection on how we treat ourselves and the ecological impact of our daily lives. It is important to respect food in the same way we respect ourselves. When we waste or throw out food, it reveals the disconnect between ourselves and nature, the disconnect between us and the resources and labor needed to transport the food onto our plate. Zen philosophy challenges that disconnect and forces us to acknowledge that the food we waste could easily fill the stomach of another being in need.

I hope you reconsider the next time you have leftover food on your plate or when uncooked hazel-eyeballs cover your living room floor. Resist the dumpster and vacuum cleaner. The unused is not trash it is food. If we hope to create a future free from malnutrition, starvation and food insecurity, we first must look inward and cultivate that change from within ourselves. It begins with our food.

For students that want to discover more ways they can reduce their own food waste, please reach out to the Cornell Food Recovery Network via cornellfrn@gmail.com or on their website cornellfoodrecoverynetwork.com!

Danyeh Gutema is a junior in the College of Engineering. He can be reached at dlg96@cornell.edu.

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Food Ethics | Zen Instructions on How to Treat Your Eyeballs - Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun

Mark Musella, the Bergen County Prosecutor is interviewed at Bergen Prosecutor's Office in Hackensack. NorthJersey.com

When Fair Lawn police arrested "Elizabeth" on drug chargesin November 2018, she thought it meant another skipped court date, more unpaid fines and another warrant to haunt her.

The 27-year old fromOakland, whowas grantedan alias for this story to preserve her anonymity, had grown used to trouble. Addicted to opioids since age 17, her life over the followingdecade became a turnstile of arrests, rehab stays and stints on the street.

At that point I was numb to it, she said.

But this time, authorities gave her a different option: She couldenroll in apilot program that offered to drop the charges as long as she stuck with a treatment plan designedto fight her addiction.

Dubbed the "Fair Lawn Initiative," the year-old program is the first of its kind in New Jersey, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. Open to those arrested in the borough on low-level municipal charges, itconnects offenders with a patient navigator and recovery specialist who walkthem through how to get clean and stay there.

If the offender stays withprogram for six months, authorities expunge the charges. But they can also reinstate them if police arrest the person again.

Until now, that kind of localdiversion plan did not exist in New Jersey, the prosecutor's office said. But it's a big part of county prosecutor Mark Musella's plan to fight the stubbornly persistent opioid epidemic.

"The goal of this program is to save lives," Musella said in an interviewlast month.

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Thats critical in Bergen County, which saw 142 drug overdose deaths an average ofalmost three a week in 2019, Musella said. There were 662 reportedoverdoses last year, and police used the overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, 336 times.

Elizabethwas one of 20 low-level offenders to enrollin the Fair Lawn Initiative last June.Nine months later, she remains drug-free and is among 10 people who haveeither completed the program or are expected to do so,Musellasaid. The 50% success rate is roughly on par with statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse that show between 40% and 60% of those in recovery relapse at some point.

But even those who fall out benefit, saidElsbethCrusius, Fair Lawn's municipal prosecutor.

"Not everyone is ready for treatment, but even the 50% who did not complete the program were educated by the counselors and given information about the resources available to them that they may have otherwise not known," she said.

For those who stick with it like Elizabeth treatment offers more hope than the court system, said Elizabeth Rebein, the prosecutor's spokeswoman.

"Without the diversion, she would have gone to Fair Lawn and gotten a fine and other penalties ... and where would she be?" asked Rebein. "She would be trying to pay that off. Instead her energy was spent on her recovery and trying to build her own life."

Elie Honig, a former state and federal prosecutor who now headsthe Rutgers Institute for Secure Communities, called it an intriguing initiative that couldreduce recidivism.

"It seems like a fair deal," Honig said. "If you go into rehab and successfully complete it, and the charges are low-level and not violent, why not drop them? Itpushes people who have addiction problems toward getting treatment."

It also fits into the state'santi-opioid strategy of attacking drug mills, suing prescription drug companies and pushing those already addicted intotreatment centers instead of jail cells.

Gurbir Grewal, the state attorney general, started similar programs when he served as the Bergen County prosecutor from 2016 to 2018. Theyinclude Operation Helping Hand, whichsteers peoplearrested for buying heroin toward treatment,and the Heroin Addiction Recovery Team,which encourages users to turn in their drugs and seek help atselect police departments before they get arrested.

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Musella has built off that foundation, continuingHelping Hand operations and expandingthe recovery team to 10 police departments from three.

Grewal commended those efforts.

"In the minutes and hours that follow a drug possession arrest when users recognize they are at a crossroads we can give them the opportunity to choose the path of treatment and recovery," the attorney general said in a statement. "We have broken the cycle for hundreds of individuals already, and through programs like the one in Bergen County, we can save more."

The prosecutor's office developed the diversionprogram in 2018. Itpicked Fair Lawn for the trial run because the borough borders Paterson,a center for drug-dealing in the region, and often deals with the spillover effects, including overdoses. Musellafound willing partners in Fair Lawns police department and courts.

The defense counsel, municipal prosecutor or county prosecutor finds eligible offenders by looking foreither drug possession charges or other offenses that hintat a drug problem, like shoplifting, Rebein said.

When participants arrive in court, drug counselors are there tosteer them toward recovery programs. The court also appoints a public defenderas a legal advocate.

Defendantsspeak witha patient navigator andrecovery specialist fromThe Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources,part of the Paramus nonprofitChildren's Aid and Family Services.

The navigator, who files weekly reports with the court,builds aprogram thatcould involve detox, in-patient rehabilitation or out-patient care, Rebein said. The recoveryspecialist holds the persons hand through the process, supporting them when they need it most.

Elizabeth quit opioids just before joining, so her patient navigator skipped rehabilitation and set her up with John Paul Jurbala, a recovery specialist. The pair spoke constantly in-person, over the phone and through text messages. Jurbala even served as her temporary sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous when she had no one else.

Jurbala said they didn't talk about drugs. They talked about life, about how to get along with her family, about the pregnancy she found out about months earlier while jailed on unrelated chargesin Riker's Island in New York City.

"It was crucial, it really was," Elizabeth said.I didnt know how to live. I didnt know how to be a functional person in society He was a big emotional support for me.

A pair of state grants worth about $162,000 pay for the program. The Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus provides beds and other services to those withno insurance.

Musella has already tweaked the programby telling police tooffer admission right after an arrest instead of weeks later in court.

"They're most vulnerable [then] they could die before they get to court," Musella said."The earlier we can connect them to treatment, the more likely the success.

The borough police department supports the initiative, said aspokesman, Sgt. Brian Metzler.

"All these people need help more than they need to be incarcerated," Metzler said. "Sometimes they just need somebody to direct them where to go. And that's where we come in."

Eventually, Musella would like to expand it to other towns.For Elizabeth, it's already had a life-changing impact.

She has been clean for a year and spends her days taking care of her now seven-month old daughter, she said. She became religious, and is thankful for the arrest that helped her slip addictions grip.

"It helped me change my ways," she said. "I definitely would say I'm grateful for the way things happened. Because I don't know what the other outcome would have been."

Steve Janoski covers law enforcement for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important newsabout those who safeguard your local community,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:janoski@northjersey.comTwitter:@stevejanoski

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After 142 overdose deaths, Bergen tests program to fight addiction with treatment, not jail - NorthJersey.com

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., March 2, 2020 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Mole and vole damage to lawns, trees and shrubs is common in Pennsylvania, but identifying the difference between the two can be confusing. Each of these two pests can cause mild to serious damage on a homeowners property, and late winter is when the effects are often seen. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain how to identify the difference between the two and what homeowners can do to reverse the damage.

PHOTO CAPTION: Voles damage lawns as they carve out runways in the grass.

How to Identify Vole Damage on a Lawn

Voles, otherwise known as Meadow Mice, are small rodents with very active lifestyles in the winter. They live under dense shrubs and mulch and other hiding places like wood or rock piles. Voles eat grass, and in winter, the snow provides the perfect cover for voles to venture from their burrows in search of food without fear of predators.Homeowners can identify vole damage after snow melts by the telltale chiseled pathways through the lawn. Voles create these runways under the cover of snow where predators cant catch them.

How to Identify Mole Damage on a Lawn

Like voles, moles can do a lot of damage to a lawn. However, rather than pathways carved into the grass at the surface, moles tunnel underground andleave piles of soil that act as air ventsin their tunnels.

If you have a lawn that is really infested with moles, you can actually feel it as you walk across the grass, explains Giroud Lawn Care Technician, Paul Ruffenach. The ground will feel soft because the tunnels have been dug through under your feet.

Damage to Trees and Shrubs

Although lawn damage caused by voles and moles is very easy to see, what can often go unnoticed until its too late is damage to trees and shrubs. These invasive little creatures feast on the bark of certain trees and shrubs.

Both voles and moles will chew on the roots, trunks and branches of some shrubs because they are feeding on the starches and the sugars to stay alive in winter, explains Drew Slousky, ISA Certified Giroud Arborist and Vice President. If they chew the bark completely off, they could kill a shrub or a tree.

Single stemmed trees like Dogwoods and Crabapples will likely die if voles or moles have girdled the tree by eating the bark completely around the trunk. Multi-stemmed shrubs like Juniper, rhododendron, Viburnum, Euonymous (Burning Bush) and Azalea can survive. Professional pruning or fertilization will help with recovery.

How to Protect a Property from Mole and Vole Damage

Take away hiding spots! Moles and voles burrow under anything that may act as a cover in order to keep out of the watchful eyes of predators.Snow, underbrush and overgrown ground cover are all perfect hiding spots.

As the weather warms, mulch also becomes a great cover for them.Giroud always stresses the importance of never piling mulch against the trunk of a tree or shrubsbecause it can lead to girdling roots. Garden pests like moles and voles are just another reason why proper mulching is important. Creating a space for these rodents to burrow is an invitation for them to chew on the bark of trees and shrubs!

Check out this video from Giroud Arborist, Rob Nagy, which shows how he identified that a rodent was causing an ornamental holly to decline: https://youtu.be/8Ogfh-Yi6Mk

Take Action Now to Correct Mole and Vole Damage

The good news is most lawns, trees and shrubs will recover from minimal mole or vole damage. For lawns:

Getting on a great lawn care treatment and fertilization program is a step in the right direction because it will strengthen the grass roots and give the lawn a fighting chance against attacks from mole and vole damage and also other pests, insects and diseases!

If homeowners see signs of pest infestation on trees and shrubs, such as chewed trunks and branches, leaf dieback and discoloration, they should have them inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist who may recommend pruning out the damaged branches. Also, a deep root vitamin fertilizer treatment will strengthen the plant and aid in its recovery.

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/8Ogfh-Yi6Mk

News Source: Giroud Tree and Lawn

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Giroud Tree and Lawn explains how to identify the difference between mole and vole damage on lawns, trees and shrubs - Send2Press Newswire

WEST TRENTON, NJ The first case of coronavirus in New Jersey has been discovered in Bergen County, although state officials are not announcing where in Bergen County.

Governor Phil Murphy, Acting Governor Sheila Oliver, and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli made the announcement on Wednesday evening, March 4, calling it the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in New Jersey.

The individual, a male in his 30s, is hospitalized in Bergen County and has been hospitalized since March 3.

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My Administration is working aggressively to keep residents safe and contain the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey, Murphy said.We take this situation very seriously and have been preparing for this for weeks. I urge residents to remain calm and use resources from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control to prepare and prevent the spread of infection. Safeguarding the publics health is one of my highest priorities and my Administration is prepared to respond swiftly to any additional positive cases of COVID-19 here in New Jersey.

Our Administration has been coordinatingacross all levels of government, and with our federal partners, to ensure that we are active and engaged with preparedness and response plan,said Acting Governor Oliver.We urge all New Jersey residents to follow guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement regarding the first New Jersey case:

I am monitoring this presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Bergen County, and I continue to be in close contact with hospital officials and local and state leaders on the matter. Im continuing to work with North Jersey hospitals, health facilities, and communities, and Ive offered support of whatever they need to treat patients afflicted with this virus and to help make sure this outbreak is contained. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan emergency legislation to immediately address the coronavirus outbreak and help keep North Jersey families safe. This bill provides emergency funding for a robust response to the crisis, including support for state and local health agencies, and vaccine and treatment development. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation in coming days.

The presumptive positive result came from a sample tested by the New Jersey Department of Health at the New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratories(PHEL)and is now being submitted to the CDC for confirmatory testing. State and local public health authorities are proceeding with the public health investigation and response activities as if this was a confirmed case.The hospital is working closely with the Department of Health and continues to follow all infectious disease protocols. Working with the local health department, the New Jersey Department of Health is tracing close contacts of this individual and is taking appropriate public health actions. The investigation is underway and more information will be released when it becomes available.

Any case of novel coronavirus in our state is concerning, however most New Jersey residents are at very low risk of contracting COVID-19,said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.The Department is working closely with the CDC and local health officials to respond to this case and is monitoring the evolving situation across the nation.

The New Jersey Department of Health has been working to prepare for and respond to the evolving novel coronavirus since early January. The Department shared state and CDC guidance with hospitals, local health officials, K-12 schools, universities and businesses; established a novel coronaviruswebpage; partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) to open a call center (1-800-222-1222) for the public; hosted stakeholder teleconferences; and continues coordinating state efforts weekly with the New Jersey Coronavirus Task Force chaired by Commissioner Persichilli.

To date, the 24/7 NJPIES hotline (1-800-222-1222) has received more than1,195calls from the public and can accommodate callers in multiple languages.

Clickherefor more information on novel coronavirus.

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First Case of Coronavirus Discovered in Bergen County, NJ - TAPinto.net

Published: 3/4/2020 5:33:42 PM

Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. Athol Hospitals cafeteria.

Food Pantry: The community food pantry is open the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The pantry is in the basement of Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St.

The Cellar Closet at Central Congregational Church of Orange, 95 South Main St., will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers have been accepting and arranging clothing for women, men and children, along with jewelry and accessories, shoes and household items. All items are reasonably priced and special sales are offered occasionally. For information, call 978-544-6895 or email orangecongregationalchurch@gmail.com.

Arms Academy Reunion: The Reunion Committee for the Arms Academy Alumni Association will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. to continue planning the June 27 all-class reunion. The meeting will take place at the Shelburne Historical Society, 33 Severence St. All Arms alumni who can lend a hand in planning the June reunion are urged to attend. Questions may be directed to Muriel (Bolduc) Zraunig, president, by phone at 413-773-3855 or 413-522-3167, or by email mzraunig@comcast.net.

Serendipity Shop: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Congregational Church basement. Mens, womens and childrens clothing, shoes and sneakers. Most items $1. Mens suits and all coats, $3. Womens suits, $2. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. 413-665-2890.

Franklin Area Survival Center: 96 Fourth St., 413-863-9549. The thrift store, which is open to the public and helps finance the food pantry, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing, linens and food to help the disaster victims.

Helpful Programs at LifePath: LifePath provides assistance with light homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care and adaptive equipment. Caregivers can take a break to de-stress with LifePaths respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program allows elders in need to select their own caregiver perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information, email info@lifepathma.org or call 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at lifepathma.org.

Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE): SHINE counselors are volunteers who provide free, unbiased health insurance information, education, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and adults with disabilities to help people figure out what their best health insurance options are based on their unique needs. Contact a SHINE counselor at LifePath at 413-773-555 or 978-544-2259. Email info@lifepathma.org or learn more at lifepathma.org.

Vigil for Racial Justice Every Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., on the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. For more information: email@racialjusticerising.org.

Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and caregivers. The service is offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. The music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. For more information, visit eventidesingers.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 413-774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 413-774-5828.

Straight Spouse Support: One-on-one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. Confidential helpline at 413-625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com.

Help the Blind: Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade-in. Call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind at 888-613-2777 for details. Old lawn mowers are also accepted. Donations are tax-deductible and towing is free. Proceeds benefit blind and vision-impaired people in Massachusetts. Alternatively, email Barbara Sciannameo at barbaras@mabcommunity.org.

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Talk of the Towns: March 5, 2020 - The Recorder

Q. I am devastated by the rule changes to Inherited IRAs. My husband and I have dedicated our working lives to leave sizable legacies to our daughters and their families. With the accelerated distribution requirements, they will end up with huge tax liabilities and our hopes for their futures severely diminished. What can we do to work around this new law?

Saver

A. Youre correct in saying that the SECURE Act changed the treatment of inherited IRA distributions.

Non-spouse beneficiaries must now that the funds out within 10 years, and yes, the funds will take a tax hit.

Theres no real workaround to change how inherited IRAs will be treated under the new law, but there are some strategies that can help a little.

First, talk to your beneficiaries about the 10-year distribution window, Nicholas Scheibner, a certified financial planner with Baron Financial Group in Fair Lawn.

Beneficiaries dont have to take funds out every year, so they can work with their tax planners to determine the smartest time to take the distributions. They could take it all out in the final year, thereby allowing the funds inside the account to grow tax-deferred.

Next, you should talk to your advisors about Roth IRA conversions, Scheibner said.

He said a Roth IRA is a great estate planning tool as any distributions from the accounts will be tax-free.

Once you retire, you may find yourself in a lower tax bracket. This is especially true if you retire before age 72, and before Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are required, Scheibner said. There may be a window of time where you can maximize the Roth-conversion strategy, before your taxable income potentially goes up due to RMDs.

Finally, you should look at which accounts you use now to fund your own retirement needs.

The SECURE Act did not affect non-retirement accounts, which means the step-up in basis rule still applies for appreciated securities in a brokerage account, he said.

If your main goal is to pass on assets to your children in the most tax-efficient way, bequeathing investments with a large capital gain allows your children to inherit those investments with a date-of-death-cost basis, he said. If you are currently using a brokerage account to fund your retirement goals, work with your advisors to analyze the option of using a portion of your IRA instead.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter.

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Can we get around the SECURE Act rules for inherited IRAs? - NJ.com

Updated March 02, 2020 08:43:02

Ripe weather conditions in south-east Queensland are being blamed for an "explosion" of armyworms chomping through lawns within days.

Hundreds of residents from Gympie to Brisbane reported the worms after noticing their once-green grass turning brown almost overnight.

It's important to note that they're not the notorious fall armyworm that poses a serious threat to agriculture and was recently detected in north Queensland.

John McDonald, biosecurity manager at Greenlife Industry Australia the national peak body for the nursery industry said the armyworms in the south-east appeared to be in "unusually high numbers".

He said while the grass was not dead and would grow back, it could be distressing for residents.

"We are seeing pockets of armyworms exploding in recent weeks and those populations people have not witnessed that before."

Mr McDonald said he even had them at his Brisbane home for the first time in 20 years.

"In recent weeks we've had hundreds end up in our pool, so we've never seen that before.

"It was somewhat of a surprise to see such large numbers and find them moving out of the neighbour's yard into ours."

Nambour resident Katelyn Efremoff had a similar experience when she noticed her neighbour's lawn turn brown days before the worms munched through hers.

"I thought it was insane that a caterpillar could decimate the entire front and back lawns in such a short period of time."

Once the armyworms finish with a food source i.e. your yard they march onto the next. Hence their name.

The larvae, or caterpillars, often shelter during the day and feed at night, leaving residents shocked at what they find in the morning, as they told ABC Sunshine Coast:

"Victim of the little bastards here. Our yard flooded really badly, so initially I thought a few patches were where the water had been lying for a long time. Woke up on Saturday morning and it was all dead." Ange Gillham, Yandina

"We were pretty shocked to have a nice green lawn after all the rain and then literally overnight it was demolished. Nothing I've seen before." Jen Rickards, Palmwoods

"Destroyed ours in less than two weeks." Sarah Campbell, Coes Creek

Mr McDonald said armyworms were a natural biological process throughout Queensland and the rain and cooler weather in recent weeks had provided ideal conditions for them.

"When all the conditions are right you get these blooms of the population.

"Then they'll move on once they've pretty much chewed up the food source, you'll see the numbers decline."

Mr McDonald said the armyworm's life cycle took just a couple of weeks.

"The moths are the adult they'll fly, land and lay eggs. The eggs hatch, which become caterpillars and the caterpillars do the chewing.

"They will pupate and they will move on and another adult will form and that'll be a moth and fly off."

Because the process happens so quickly, residents often don't notice until their once-green grass is a mass of brown, dead-looking foliage.

"They [the caterpillars] are probably there for a day or so and then people start to see the evidence," Mr McDonald said.

"It happens quite quickly and it comes down to numbers, so the more numbers, the more rapid they will chew through the food source."

Horticulturalist Paul Plant said there were organic and chemical treatments available. People should seek advice at their local garden centre or hardware store.

He said some chemicals included chlorpyriphos as an active ingredient but should be used with caution and under advice to reduce the impact on other animals and ecosystems.

Non-chemical treatment options, he said, included a registered neem insecticide.

To remove a small patch or test whether you have armyworms in your lawn, place a wet blanket, hessian sack or cloth on the lawn in the evening.

"The armyworms will think it's still dark so they'll come up to the surface of the lawn but under the blanket," Mr Plant said.

"You'll see the armyworms right there on the surface, and if you've got chooks, they'll come over and eat all of those little blighters."

Some residents have also reported that pouring diluted eucalyptus wool wash over the affected area can help treat small patches, by forcing the worms to the surface where they can be removed by hand.

Mr Plant empathised with residents and said it was a vicious cycle.

"We've already had three times the amount of rainfall than what we had last year," he said.

"The moist soil and plenty of food source is an ideal environment for the grubs, which means they are growing, more moths are breeding, eggs are being laid, and it's this constant cycle that's really prevalent right now."

He encouraged residents to be on the lookout for moth eggs, which resembled a cotton wool bud, that may be laid around foliage and grass or near the house.

"Their eggs will be popping up constantly along the fence line close to the house where the light is, because moths are attracted to light, so they will come towards your house.

"Then the caterpillars, after hatching, will march past progressing away from the house."

And because the armyworms attack the leaves and usually leave the root system in place, Mr Plant said the lawn would grow back eventually.

"If you want it to look good within two months, I would be [buying in fresh turf], but if you're willing to wait eight months, I'd be patient."

Mr McDonalds said while the two armyworms were similar in appearance, the fall armyworm had a more ferocious appetite.

"It's been recorded on things as diverse as eucalyptus, tomatoes, blueberries, chrysanthemums, cabbages through to grapes.

"They're not necessarily its favoured food, but it seems to at the moment have an appetite to move across a diverse range of plant families."

He said the "aggressive" fall armyworm whose adult moth can fly about 500 kilometres in its lifetime was likely to move down the east coast quite quickly.

"How far? We're not too sure, but based on international info, I believe they will comfortably survive through New South Wales."

Concerns about fall armyworms should be raised with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23.

Topics:gardening,pests-diseases-and-control-methods,pests---horticulture,landscape-gardening,invertebrates---insects-and-arachnids,leaf-eating-insects,animal-science,horticulture,lifestyle-and-leisure,human-interest,maroochydore-4558,brisbane-4000,palmwoods-4555,bokarina-4575,yaroomba-4573,yandina-4561,gympie-4570,peregian-beach-4573,nambour-4560,australia,act,nsw,nt,qld,sa,tas,vic,wa

First posted February 28, 2020 16:45:40

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Armyworms are on the march in suburbia, devouring lawns in their path - ABC News

With industry-standard accuracy in analysis and high data integrity, the report makes a brilliant attempt to unveil key opportunities available in the global Ecological Contractor market to help players in achieving a strong market position. Buyers of the report can access verified and reliable market forecasts, including those for the overall size of the global Ecological Contractor market in terms of revenue.Players, stakeholders, and other participants in the global Ecological Contractor market will be able to gain the upper hand as they use the report as a powerful resource. For this version of the report, the segmental analysis focuses on revenue and forecast by each application segment in terms of revenue and forecast by each type segment in terms of revenue for the period 2015-2026.

Regional and Country-level Analysis

The report offers an exhaustive geographical analysis of the global Ecological Contractor market, covering important regions, viz, North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Central & South America. It also covers key countries (regions), viz, U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, etc.

The report includes country-wise and region-wise market size for the period 2015-2026. It also includes market size and forecast by each application segment in terms of revenue for the period 2015-2026.

Competition Analysis

In the competitive analysis section of the report, leading as well as prominent players of the global Ecological Contractor market are broadly studied on the basis of key factors. The report offers comprehensive analysis and accurate statistics on revenue by the player for the period 2015-2020. It also offers detailed analysis supported by reliable statistics on price and revenue (global level) by player for the period 2015-2020.

On the whole, the report proves to be an effective tool that players can use to gain a competitive edge over their competitors and ensure lasting success in the global Ecological Contractor market. All of the findings, data, and information provided in the report are validated and revalidated with the help of trustworthy sources. The analysts who have authored the report took a unique and industry-best research and analysis approach for an in-depth study of the global Ecological Contractor market.

The following players are covered in this report:

Industrial Environmental Contracting

Advanced Ecological Management, LLC

Ash Engineering, Inc.

Hyde Environmental, Inc.

Laans Tree Care

Global Environmental Operations, Inc

Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc.

Morley & Associates, Inc.

Matrix New World Engineering, Inc.

Tensar International Corporation, Inc.

Nor Cal Mechanical LLC

Maxymillian Technologies Inc.

Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc.

Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc.

Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc

REMSA Inc.

Ecological Contractor Breakdown Data by Type

Demolition

Treatment System Installation

Remediation

Tank and Industrial Cleaning

Emergency Spill Response

UST Removal

Ecological Contractor Breakdown Data by Application

Woodland

Grassland

Fish Pond

Table of Contents

1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered: Ranking by Ecological Contractor Revenue1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Size Growth Rate by Type: 2020 VS 20261.4.2 Demolition1.4.3 Treatment System Installation1.4.4 Remediation1.4.5 Tank and Industrial Cleaning1.4.6 Emergency Spill Response1.4.7 UST Removal1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Share by Application: 2020 VS 20261.5.2 Woodland1.5.3 Grassland1.5.4 Fish Pond1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered

2 Global Growth Trends by Regions2.1 Ecological Contractor Market Perspective (2015-2026)2.2 Ecological Contractor Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Ecological Contractor Market Size by Regions: 2015 VS 2020 VS 20262.2.2 Ecological Contractor Historic Market Share by Regions (2015-2020)2.2.3 Ecological Contractor Forecasted Market Size by Regions (2021-2026)2.3 Industry Trends and Growth Strategy2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Challenges2.3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis2.3.5 Ecological Contractor Market Growth Strategy2.3.6 Primary Interviews with Key Ecological Contractor Players (Opinion Leaders)

3 Competition Landscape by Key Players3.1 Global Top Ecological Contractor Players by Market Size3.1.1 Global Top Ecological Contractor Players by Revenue (2015-2020)3.1.2 Global Ecological Contractor Revenue Market Share by Players (2015-2020)3.1.3 Global Ecological Contractor Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3)3.2 Global Ecological Contractor Market Concentration Ratio3.2.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2.2 Global Top 10 and Top 5 Companies by Ecological Contractor Revenue in 20193.3 Ecological Contractor Key Players Head office and Area Served3.4 Key Players Ecological Contractor Product Solution and Service3.5 Date of Enter into Ecological Contractor Market3.6 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

4 Breakdown Data by Type (2015-2026)4.1 Global Ecological Contractor Historic Market Size by Type (2015-2020)4.2 Global Ecological Contractor Forecasted Market Size by Type (2021-2026)

5 Ecological Contractor Breakdown Data by Application (2015-2026)5.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)5.2 Global Ecological Contractor Forecasted Market Size by Application (2021-2026)

6 North America6.1 North America Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)6.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in North America (2019-2020)6.3 North America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)6.4 North America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

7 Europe7.1 Europe Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)7.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Europe (2019-2020)7.3 Europe Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)7.4 Europe Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

8 China8.1 China Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)8.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in China (2019-2020)8.3 China Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)8.4 China Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

9 Japan9.1 Japan Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)9.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Japan (2019-2020)9.3 Japan Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)9.4 Japan Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

10 Southeast Asia10.1 Southeast Asia Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)10.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Southeast Asia (2019-2020)10.3 Southeast Asia Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)10.4 Southeast Asia Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

11 India11.1 India Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)11.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in India (2019-2020)11.3 India Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)11.4 India Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

12 Central & South America12.1 Central & South America Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)12.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Central & South America (2019-2020)12.3 Central & South America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)12.4 Central & South America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

13Key Players Profiles13.1 Industrial Environmental Contracting13.1.1 Industrial Environmental Contracting Company Details13.1.2 Industrial Environmental Contracting Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.1.3 Industrial Environmental Contracting Ecological Contractor Introduction13.1.4 Industrial Environmental Contracting Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020))13.1.5 Industrial Environmental Contracting Recent Development13.2 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC13.2.1 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Company Details13.2.2 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.2.3 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Ecological Contractor Introduction13.2.4 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.2.5 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Recent Development13.3 Ash Engineering, Inc.13.3.1 Ash Engineering, Inc. Company Details13.3.2 Ash Engineering, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.3.3 Ash Engineering, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.3.4 Ash Engineering, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.3.5 Ash Engineering, Inc. Recent Development13.4 Hyde Environmental, Inc.13.4.1 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Company Details13.4.2 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.4.3 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.4.4 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.4.5 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Recent Development13.5 Laans Tree Care13.5.1 Laans Tree Care Company Details13.5.2 Laans Tree Care Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.5.3 Laans Tree Care Ecological Contractor Introduction13.5.4 Laans Tree Care Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.5.5 Laans Tree Care Recent Development13.6 Global Environmental Operations, Inc13.6.1 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Company Details13.6.2 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.6.3 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Ecological Contractor Introduction13.6.4 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.6.5 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Recent Development13.7 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc.13.7.1 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Company Details13.7.2 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.7.3 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.7.4 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.7.5 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Recent Development13.8 Morley & Associates, Inc.13.8.1 Morley & Associates, Inc. Company Details13.8.2 Morley & Associates, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.8.3 Morley & Associates, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.8.4 Morley & Associates, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.8.5 Morley & Associates, Inc. Recent Development13.9 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc.13.9.1 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Company Details13.9.2 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.9.3 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.9.4 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.9.5 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Recent Development13.10 Tensar International Corporation, Inc.13.10.1 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Company Details13.10.2 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.10.3 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.10.4 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.10.5 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Recent Development13.11 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC10.11.1 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Company Details10.11.2 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.11.3 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Ecological Contractor Introduction10.11.4 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.11.5 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Recent Development13.12 Maxymillian Technologies Inc.10.12.1 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Company Details10.12.2 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.12.3 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.12.4 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.12.5 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Recent Development13.13 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc.10.13.1 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Company Details10.13.2 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.13.3 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.13.4 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.13.5 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Recent Development13.14 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc.10.14.1 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Company Details10.14.2 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.14.3 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.14.4 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.14.5 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Recent Development13.15 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc10.15.1 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Company Details10.15.2 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.15.3 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Ecological Contractor Introduction10.15.4 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.15.5 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Recent Development13.16 REMSA Inc.10.16.1 REMSA Inc. Company Details10.16.2 REMSA Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.16.3 REMSA Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.16.4 REMSA Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.16.5 REMSA Inc. Recent Development

14Analysts Viewpoints/Conclusions

15Appendix15.1 Research Methodology15.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach15.1.2 Data Source15.2 Disclaimer15.3 Author Details

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Global Ecological Contractor Market 2020 Report Focused on Top Manufacturers, Developments, Growth Opportunities and Forecast to 2026 - 3rd Watch News

Ashfield

The First Congregational Church (UCC) of Ashfield will host its annual Winter Fest Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Johns Episcopal will also be joining in the fun. Both churches will offer homemade Christmas cookies and other baked goods, jams, fresh wreaths, local crafts, books, Rada cutlery, Palestinian olive oil, Deans Beans coffee, gifts for bird lovers and more. The First Congregational Church will sponsor a drawing with many items (you dont have to be present to win) and Ms. Claus will be there. On Sunday at 3 p.m., the Ashfield Community Band will host its Holiday Family Carol Sing in the First Congregational sanctuary. The winner of the drawing will be announced at 3 p.m.

Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. Athol Hospitals cafeteria.

The Community Clothes Closet at 83 Foundry Village Road will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.through Dec. 14, and resume in early April. Residents of all towns are welcome. Clothes are free and suit all ages. The closet accepts donations of clean clothing, which can be delivered anytime at the buildings rear. Contact Linda Wagner at 413-625-6157 or Sarah Looman 413-625 6169 for more information.

Greenfield Community College Chorus will present An Informal Holiday Concert in the GCC Main Lobby Friday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The audience will be invited to join in singing, and refreshments will be available. The program will comprise traditional music for the season, early American anthems, music by Haydn and Brahms, and recent arrangements by Susan Brumfield and Victor Johnson. Performers will include soloists from the chorus: Kate Walker, cello, in Hashivenu; Henry Gaida, accompanist; and Margery Heins, conductor of the GCC Chorus. Information about joining the chorus will be available at the concert, or call 413-775-1171. For accessibility accommodation, contact the Coordinator of Disability Services 413-775-1812.

Friends of the Greenfield Public Library "Taste of the Towns" raffle drawing will be Saturday at noon at the Greenfield Public Library. Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10. Light refreshments will be served in the lobby of the library from 10 a.m. to noon.

Healthy Desserts: Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St. Do you have a sweet tooth? Have you ever wondered how to make desserts healthier by adding or substituting fruits and veggies? Then this workshop and cooking demoby Emily Lawler,RDN, is for you. Registration required. Call 413-772-1517 ext. 0 or stop by the front desk to register.

Christmas Craft Fair: Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 41 Main St. The fair will offer hand made crafts, angels/nativities, floral arrangements, Christmas decor items, books, white elephant, collectibles, jewelry and more. There will also be raffles and grab and go lunch and bake sale.

Leyden Glen Sheep Farm Holiday Open House,31 Glen Road: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join artist, author and sheep farmer Kristin Nicholas and her husband sheep farmer Mark Duprey as they open their 1751 home and sheep farm for the 5th Annual Holiday Open House. See colorful hand-painted, handmade decorated farmhouse that has been featured in Yankee Magazine, Country Home, Houzz.com and more. Also sheep grazing. Special local guests artist Alicia Hunsicker, jeweler and textile Specialist Deborah Garner, dyer Gail Callahan and soapmaker Juliana Farina (from Amherst Soaps) will be selling handmade items. Celebrate the season, sample farm-raised lamb, and get a jump on holiday shopping.

The Pioneer Valley Regional School band will host its Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school. There will be crafters, food, sweet treats, raffles more. All proceeds to benefit the band as they will be going to Chicago in the spring to compete against other high school bands.

Christmas Bazaar sponsored by Dick's Angel Relay For Life will be Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northfield Town Hall (downstairs, use back door). Bake sale, tomato cheddar soup, coffee can drawings, and more. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Kiwanis Club of Northfield will conduct its annual holiday fair and raffle on Saturday in the gym at Northfield Elementary School, 104 Main St. Crafts booths will surround the gym and a giant raffle table fills the center with prizes, including a quilt donated by Pickering Farm Quilt Shop and a meat smoker donated by Aubuchon's of Winchester. Prizes are awarded at the end of the fair by celebrity guest prize picker, Mary Bowen of the Northfield Creamie. Proceeds provide food and clothing gift certificates for needy families. The PTO will be selling hot food, beverages and books.

Santa and Mrs. Claus invite all to the Orange Historical Society's Christmas Bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 41 North Main St. The tin can raffle has more than 140 quality items valued over $3,500 and a bake sale.

The Cellar Closet at Central Congregational Church of Orange, 95 South Main St., will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers have been accepting and arranging clothing for women, men and children, along with jewelry and accessories, shoes and household items. All items are reasonably priced and special sales are offered occasionally. for information, call 978-544-6895 or email orangecongregationalchurch@gmail.com.

Serendipity Shop: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Congregational Church basement. Mens, womens and childrens clothing, shoes and sneakers. Most items $1. Mens suits and all coats, $3. Womens suits, $2. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. 413-665-2890.

St. Nicholas Bazaar will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 84 K St. Coffee and donuts will be served in the morning. The bazar will feature gifts, religious goods, bake sale, Polish food sale, vendors, raffle, lunch and more.

Puzzle Swap: Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A. Come swap with other fellow puzzle-masters. Light refreshments courtesy of Greenfield Savings Bank. No reservations required. All welcome with a puzzle to swap. Puzzles for all ages.

Franklin Area Survival Center: 96 4th St., 413-863-9549. The thrift store, which is open to the public and helps finance the food pantry, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing, linens and food to help the disaster victims.

Helpful Programs at LifePath: LifePath provides assistance with light homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care and adaptive equipment. Caregivers can take a break to de-stress with LifePaths respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program allows elders in need to select their own caregiver perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information, email info@lifepathma.org or call 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at lifepathma.org.

Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE): SHINE counselors are volunteers who provide free, unbiased health insurance information, education, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and adults with disabilities to help people figure out what their best health insurance options are based on their unique needs. Contact a SHINE counselor at LifePath at 413-773-555 or 978-544-2259. Email info@lifepathma.org or learn more at lifepathma.org.

Vigil for Racial Justice Every Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., on the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. For more information: email@racialjusticerising.org.

Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and caregivers. The service is offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. The music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. For more information, visit eventidesingers.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 413-774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 413-774-5828.

Straight Spouse Support: One-on-one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. Confidential helpline at 413-625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com.

Help the Blind: Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade-in. Call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind at 888-613-2777 for details. Old lawn mowers are also accepted. Donations are tax-deductible and towing is free. Proceeds benefit blind and vision-impaired people in Massachusetts. Alternatively, email Barbara Sciannameo at barbaras@mabcommunity.org.

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Talk of the Towns, Dec. 5, 2019 - The Recorder