Christ Presbyterian Church of Winfield will host a nonpartisan community health care discussion at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, at 7416 E. 109th Ave.

Health care is a top priority for President-elect Barack Obama. He is asking all Americans for their ideas and input for reforming the system to provide quality, affordable, health care for all Americans. Ideas and stories may be submitted through the Transition Teams website www.change.gov or through community discussions being held throughout the country this month.. U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, nominee as secretary of the federal Health and Human Services Administration, will attend one of the community discussions.

Local health care, insurance, religion, and business leaders, as well as elected officials, are being invited to participate in a panel discussion at the Winfield forum to provide background information. Everyone who attends will be encouraged to help draft a group submission including poignant stories about health care.

For more information, visit www.yourcpc.net or call (219) 663-0129.

Food baskets distributed

The newly formed Winfield Community Foundation assembled 50 Holiday Food Baskets for needy families referred by the township trustee's office.

Foundation member Dr. Annette Williamson, along with help from our local grocer, Amelia's Country Market, supplied most of the "ingredients" to make up each basket. Included was a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberries, canned vegetables and some "gummy bear" candy.

Several Winfield Town Council members donated $500 each as "seed money" to help the foundation get started. This is the first project that the Foundation has completed and we all hope for donations from the community for the new year.

To learn how to make a donation, or to volunteer your services, call the Town Hall at (219) 662-2665.

Book chat

A book discussion group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Crown Point Community Library's Winfield branch, located in the government complex building at 10645 Randolph St.

This month's discussion title is "The Madonnas of Leningrad" by author Debra Dean. Copies are available at the circulation desk. New members are always welcome.

For more information, call Barb Houk at (219) 663-0270.

Holiday closing

A reminder to all that Town of Winfield offices will be closing at noon Wednesday and will remain closed Thursday for the New Year's holiday.

Do you have a special occasion to brag about or news in your neighborhood? Let me know and I will share it with the community. Call (219) 895-6528, or e-mail JimmyGems@aol.com. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.