Bijie Anderson and Mae Frost, pictured from left, share a laugh as they decorate a Christmas mug together. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Raising their newly decorated mugs are Regent Park resident Lynda Burnett and Holyoke Elementary fifth graders Ryan Chaney and Tomas Estrada, pictured from left. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Both clearly possessing an artistic streak, Sandra Sanchez and Barbara Kurtzer, pictured from left, have some especially cute mugs. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Multigenerational pals don’t mind the gap
They spend their weekdays just a couple of blocks apart, but fifth graders and Regent Park residents don’t often find themselves mingling. On Dec. 18, however, the students in Theresa Tharp’s class made the trek down Johnson Street to share in a creative Christmas activity at the nursing home.
Sponsored by the City of Holyoke recreation department, the project brought different generations together and gave them a chance to let their artistic sides show. Using colorful paint pens, participants decorated white mugs. The finished products featured Christmas trees, reindeer, snowflakes, hearts and, of course, plenty of the personal touch that makes handmade crafts special.
Though Christmas and crafting were at the center of Wednesday’s activity, conversation ranged from careers to Broncos football as folks got to know one another. And at the end of the day, they had festive mugs to take home as a reminder of a day well spent.