Festive fellowship

With a dusting of snow followed by blue skies and brilliant sunshine, the formula was perfect for a successful Jolly Snowman Christmas Fair — and it was.

For the five hours of the church’s annual fair, a steady stream of people filed into Fellowship Hall and the Sunshine Room, drawn to tables of baked goods, candies, knitted items, crafts, wreaths, the silent auction and the lobster roll lunch.

The Baked Goods Table had pies, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, breads and other holiday treats.

Fair organizer Stephen Bither had a enthusiastic team of volunteers, each helping fair-goers to make gift selections, bids on the silent auction, providing information about hidden treasures in the Sunshine Room, and, of course, offering holiday treats that always make the season bright.

Mason Keezer tries on Jim Young's Santa hat while riding on his father's shoulders.

What makes the fair such a festive affair are the familiar faces we see year after year, putting a stamp on our church as a welcoming congregation that makes everyone feel comfortable, family and friends.

We always see Jane Beckwith at the Knitted Items Table, Gail Parker at the Candies Table, Jaymie Chamberlin at the Baked Goods Table, Jim Young and the women of the UMW at the Crafts Table, Laura Young Connelly coordinating the Silent Auction, Audrey Jordan with the wreaths and Brenda Simpson and Mary Anne Champeon preparing the lobster roll luncheon.

And then there are newer additions, like Betty Jane Shreve and Nancy Johnson with the beautifully created Christmas displays, Tom Merrill with his collection of photographs, Genny and Alan Leathers keeping the Hidden Treasures Room fully stocked and organized, and Mariah Parker and Lydia Ingalls wrapping presents for young children to give to their parents.

And so many more who assist in so many ways — it’s an occasion for the church family to shine and the church family pulls together to make it happen. Thank you to all!

Kathie Hackett, Kay Young and Gloria Kierstead handled early responsibilities at the Crafts Table.

Jaymie Chamberlin welcomes a young fair-goer at the Baked Goods Table.

Brenda Simpson, as always, had the lobster rolls ready to go.

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