It's not the usual course, but this month some parts of my "around Florence" column got cut for space...and instead of cutting the one that I had suggested could be cut if necessary, they (the big THEY) cut the one and only one that was actually timely..

Well, at least there's the blog -- so you, dear reader (yes, that is singular) will get this little tidbit or two before the rest of the world:

Raffle time

The knitting group at the Lilly Library was hard at work this winter knitting an afghan and pillow to raffle off to benefit the library.

The fruit of their labors goes on display at the library on June 1 and raffle tickets will be for sale at the library all summer. One ticket is $2 (or 3 for $5) and the drawing is scheduled for August 30 (just in time to bundle up and ward off the crisp fall breezes).

Proceeds from the raffle go to the library to be spent at the director’s discretion, according to children’s librarian and knitter Kim Perez. The only request the knitting group made was that the library buy a subscription to a knitting magazine. Seems fair enough.

In other real estate news

The Real Estate Connection has left their digs at 141 North Main Street for a new office at 247 Northampton Street, near the Easthampton line. Their old space is for rent, but no word on possible tenants.