Perry Area Community Enrichment (PACE) coordinates Christmas caroling event

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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

A group of nearly 20 singers gathered at the bandstand in Perry on Friday, Dec. 22, to celebrate the Christmas season in song.

The caroling event was coordinated by the newly formed group Perry Area Community Enrichment (PACE).

“I think we had 19 singers,” PACE organizer and Perry Village Board member Nikki  Mountain said.

According to Mountain, the event was planned to coincide with the Griggsville-Perry Parent Teacher Organization Christmas decoration contest.

“We decided to do it in conjunction with the G-P PTO’s outdoor decorating contest,” Mountain said. “We knew there would be more people in town driving around to look at the decorations, so we wanted to do it then.”

Mountain said that PACE is planning more events for this winter and throughout the year.

“We want to do something later this winter – maybe around Valentine’s Day,” Mountain said. “We’re trying to do stuff fairly regularly, just to stay on folks’ radar.”

A movie, Mountain said, was a possibility for the group’s next activity.

“We bought a projector and outdoor screen, so we can do movies,” Mountain said.

Mountain added that PACE has been in talks with the Griggsville-Perry Middle School to accommodate indoor PACE activities during cold and inclement weather.

“The school has told us that they would work with us, too,” Mountain said.

Mountain said that the PACE group is getting closer to formally organizing as a not-for-profit organization, so the group will be able to more effectively fundraise and apply for grants.

“We’re actually meeting this Thursday, to go over our bylaws,” Mountain said on Tuesday. “We’re going to put in our application to become a not-for-profit after the new year.”

“We’re in the process of putting together our Board of Directors. We want to have all the building blocks in place, so we’re ready to take off when we get official word that we’re a not-for-profit.”

PACE’s goal, Mountain said, is to make Perry a more attractive place to live for current and prospective residents.

“What we’re trying to do is – just like the organization’s name says – provide enrichment for the community,” Mountain said. “Ultimately, we would like to have a community center in town.”

“We want to provide free and low-cost community enrichment.”