| News from MHCA In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too ~ Jean Hersey March is certainly a yin and yang month with winter and spring spooning each other as they contemplate the earth's rotation with the lengthening of each day. And for the sports fans we know March madness will swell the inboxes as brackets and bets are made with predictions of who will win this year's tournament. Oh my March is a busy month indeed. So what's the news…well to start we had some technical difficulties and our news never made it to the Chit Chat. What a disappointment for our readers and for that we apologize. However we do want to get the news out so read on! Arrangements are in the making for the Spring Mud Fling Dance! The ODD Fellows Hall has been reserved, event schedules have been double checked, and the band is booked. "Tickets" can be purchased for $12.00 prior to the event or at the door for $15.00. We have advanced in our technological abilities and have a QR code that you can scan, for those who are inclined, to pay electronically for your dance ticket or you pay via check or cash. If you prefer to pay in advance (via check) please have your envelope postmarked no later than Monday April 15th. Send it to MHCA PO Box 93, Belmont VT, 05730. We are thrilled to have Carlos Ocasio and his Vermont based band - Frydaddy, who have been performing original and classic blues, soul, & rock-n-roll for decades, headlining our event. You know this is some serious 'get your groove on' dance music. And boy oh boy won't we need some spirit lifting fun by the time late April rolls around and we are in the thick of mud season! So mark your calendars for Saturday April 20th from 7-11pm for the annual Spring Mud Fling Dance. We can't wait to see you there! The Board would also like to officially welcome our newest board member and local artist Zhena Hadar. Zhena says "community doesn't just happen, it takes effort and involvement" and, with some contemplation about her life in Mount Holly, she decided to join the MHCA Board as her way to help create and nurture a sense of community. Zhena has lived in Vermont for 15 years, initially being drawn for skiing and having her two children, now adults, participate in Okemo ski school. And, as it happens with many, she fell in love with our little green mountain state and decided to put down some roots. Zhena divides her work life into two categories: work of the brain and work of the heart. She has spent time in the corporate world in public relations, teaching at a Montessori school, raising children, and then going back to school to become a licensed professional counselor. When you meet her you'll just have a feeling that she is someone who would be really easy to talk with. Some of you may know Zhena from her artwork, she has participated in Cider Days and last year she displayed her now famous work 'The Men of Mount Holly' portrait of Kevin and Pete. It was Zhena's first try at portrait work and boy was it a hit! Mostly she is inspired by the landscape of Mount Holly, "it's always about trying to capture the joy I feel". It was surprising to learn that she developed her painting by watching A LOT of U Tube videos. When asked about a guilty pleasure, Zhena paused and thoughtfully replied "I don't know if I subscribe to guilt"; which lends itself towards some worthy contemplation. We always end our interviews with something most people don't know about you...turns out her midwestern parents named her Zhena (a Russian name) not because of any heritage but just in case there was ever a Russian invasion things might go better for her. Now that was some forward-thinking parenting. We look forward to Zhena's participation on the Board! Lastly, the MHCA Board of Directors would like to say thank you to our membership for their support of our 2023/24 membership drive; don't fret if you haven't joined there is still time! So far this year we have 50 new members and 143 ongoing members who generously support our mission and help us maintain the historic building that houses our community center and town library. We are extraordinarily fortunate to live in a part of the world that values community based activities and believes in helping take care of each other. And that our friends is the news from MHCA. Take a moment each day to breathe deeply and find something that brings joy to your world, it makes a difference to your soul and will ripple out into the universe. | 
