SUNY PROFESSOR TO SPEAK ON NEW BOOK

SUNY Fredonia professor and author, Christina Jarvis, has just released her latest book, “Lucky Mud & Other Foma.” This book examines the environmentalism of author Kurt Vonnegut through his works, including Cat’s Cradle, Slapstick, and Gal’pagos. It tells the story of the origins and legacy of what Kurt Vonnegut understood as “planetary citizenship” and explores key roots, influences, literary techniques, and artistic expressions of his interest in environmental activism through his writing.

In Lucky Mud & Other Foma, Jarvis argues that Vonnegut’s characters serve as a “tribe of truth-tellers” in the fight against environmental degradation and climate change, and that Vonnegut’s writing is a “stark reminder that we are all connected to and dependent on the environment.” Jarvis also delves into Vonnegut’s activism and how it informed his writing.

To celebrate the release of this book, Jarvis will be giving a talk at the Darwin R. Barker Library on Saturday at noon. During this talk, Jarvis will discuss her research and findings, as well as the importance of Vonnegut’s work.

The Darwin R. Barker Library is located at 7 Day St, Fredonia, NY, and can be contacted at 716-672-8051 for more information

HOSPICE TO HOST ‘WILD 80S’ FUNDRAISER

Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care will host its annual gala, A Night of 80’s Fun & Fundraising, at 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Chautauqua Suites Hotel and Expo Center, Mayville.

Tickets can be purchased at chpc.care/gala. Tickets are $30 or two for $50.

All proceeds from the Gala will support CHPC, The Star Hospice House, and help deliver the specialized care our families, friends, and neighbors deserve.

In addition to food and music, the evening will feature prizes for the best movie costumes (single and group), best over-all costume (male and female), a basket giveaway and a line dancing lesson. There will also be an Air Band Contest!

Sponsors include Bliss Hill Photography, Chautauqua Suites Hotel & Expo Center, Cummins Inc., Shults Auto Group, and The Sophisticated Shoulder.

Donations can be made at CHPC.care/donate.

CONGREGATION NOTES SUNDAY SERVICE

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua, at 222 Temple Street in Fredonia, holds a Sunday Worship Service at 11 a.m., both at their physical location and on Zoom. For those wishing to join us virtually, please visit https://tinyurl.com/caluucnc. Click on “Worship Service” on the date you are attending and scroll down for the Zoom link. For those attending the in-person service, please follow the driveway and park in the lower lot behind the building.

The theme for January is Finding Our Center. This week, members of the UUCNC Executive Board will present a brief service on “Welcoming Congregational Renewal”.

“Many years ago, the congregation followed a process developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association to become a Welcoming Congregation,” a news item noted. “After successfully completing the program, we were designated as a Welcoming Congregation. This title underscores our commitment as a congregation to work hard to make sure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are full members of our faith community. We strive for radical inclusion, by creating spaces that honor every part of our identities, backgrounds, and experiences.

“The time has come to renew this commitment. Today starts the process of that promise and our service will focus on the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal Program. After the service there will be a soup and bread luncheon and more discussion on this topic.”

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua strives to be a vibrant, welcoming, multigenerational, diverse community enlivened by the power of radical love. For more information about us, visit the website at www.uucnc.org or call at 716-679-7944.