Peoples UMC News: Peoples United Methodist Church Christmas Fair

Christmas is behind these doors

Behind this door is Rosemary

The 2016 Edition

Peoples United Methodist Church Fair

The morning was crisp and people were at the door long before the doors would open. The workers were still gathering and setting last minute items in place.

Let us pray before the day

Marlene and Amy in the Bakery

The baked goods and candy tables were filling up with goodies prepared by many of the cooks of our church community and led by Amy and Marlene presiding over scones, whoopie pies, carrot cake, Christmas breads and cookies.

Becky and Jan in the Candy shop

First customers

Next door to the Bakery was the Candy table presided over by Janice and Becky S. As children passed through with parents and grandparents this table had a special attraction for them. Fudge,needhams and penuche and so many more delectable attractions were ready for a busy morning of selling. We should not forget that the confections in chocolate in particular provide a lure for folks of all ages.

Dan at the Men's table

Some of the perishable goods on the United Methodist Men’s table were still coming in to join the hand made goods that had been set up the night before. On that table area you might find Dan, Art, Tom F and Tom N. Items for sale included cheese by the pound, green tomato relish, baked yellow- eye beans as well as breakfast mixes, candle rings, napkin rings, golf balls and wooden plaques.

Busy in the Book Bin

The book room was set. Becky was ready with a sizeable selection of hard covers, paperbacks, as well as CD’s, DVD’s and if you are old enough to remember, VHS tapes.

Betty is ready

Barbara, Betty, Jody and Pam B were perusing once more the trove of goods that would be purchased before the fair was over. One whole side of the room was the display area for Trash and Treasures that included a special section on Christmas baubles. You could also find anything from a camera to chairs, to luggage and doodads (whatever they might be).

Doreen and Sharon the Jewelry Queens

Doreen and Sharon as well as Pam D were ready to sell jewelry so nicely prepared and displayed after months of collecting, cleaning, sterilizing and carding. The tables and displays were festooned with holly and other items appropriate to a Winter Wonderland.

Mariah paints for your pleasure

There was Mariah at the back of the hall ready to sell her personalized Christmas decorations with a wonderful smile.

Carol and Kathy wait on customers

In the middle of the hall were tables that sold a variety of gifts from chinaware to games. Carol and Kathy and Aaron were engaged in this area.

Aaron and Kathy at work

Dick at the console

Jean, Marni and guest

At the front of the hall were the craft goods of varying types. Knits, toys and Christmas decorations could be found. Behind the tables with cheery faces were Rosemary, Sally, Dick M and his wife Jean.

Craft world

The kitchen crew

Meanwhile in the kitchen Brad, Dick S, Keith, Danielle and Chris were preparing everything from coffee and donuts to fish and corn chowder, hot dogs and chili, and chicken salad sandwiches. Visitors were already ordering some of those delicacies by 10:15!

Judy, Olivia, Susan and Jean

The Peabodys

The Christmas Fair at Peoples is always a draw for people who have had a long association with the church as well as newcomers and neighbors of some of those that were working on the fair. Some of the attendees are family members and others are curiosity seekers. All usually leave with more than they came with and vow to return next year.

Marita and Frank

Dawn, Betsy and Marlene

Marita, our oldest member

Pam and Barb in good spirits

Sharon, Doreen and friend

The Fair has always been a great community builder for folks that work on it. We all learn from the experience and hope that we can improve and be even more welcoming to each other as well as to those who are new to our church community.