The Center for Community Partnerships (CCP) hosted a "Green Your Holiday" craft event Dec. 6 for the Wesleyan staff, faculty and students and the local community. Volunteer Sheila Graham Smith, at left, taught participants how to make festive centerpieces using fresh pine greens. Elisa Del Valle, assistant director of student activities and leadership development, is pictured at right.
Donning festive red sweaters, Tony Reis '12, Cathy Crimmins Lechowicz, director of community service and volunteerism, and Lisa Calhoun, event planner and scheduler, worked side-by-side to create their centerpieces. Frank Kuan, director of community relations and secretary of the university, created a centerpiece using evergreen branches and holly. All tools, greens and containers were supplied. Suzanne O'Connell, director of the Service Learning Center, chair and associate professor of earth and environmental sciences, admires a student's finished centerpiece.
O'Connell used a geochemistry lab's hot plate and 3-liter laboratory glassware to warm apple cider for the guests.
"Green Your Holiday" was part of the CPP's First Friday series. The CPP hosts an event during the first Friday of every month for Wesleyan and Middletown communities who are interested in town-gown collaborations. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett)
Olivia Drake
Andrew Chatfield
Mike Mavredakis