Ushering in the Christmas Season

Amy reads up on displays

Pam and Frosty

The first weekend in December is often our introduction to the Christmas spirit that accompanies the working together of many members of Peoples UMC in developing and holding the annual Christmas Fair. On Friday, December 1 many men and women arrived at Ellis Hall early in the afternoon to set up tables and chairs and to put up many decorations making the hall very festive and inviting.

Many of the items that would be for sale on Saturday were brought through the open doors to the parking lots and deposited in various areas around the hall. Crafts and the like were placed on the tables to the front of the hall and a fake fireplace that has been in that location for many years perhaps invites many people into the cozy environs of the hall. A feature of the craft area was a rather substantial tree that would display stained glass items that had been made by Ruth. Jeanne and Sally would be the primary workers in that area on the next morning.

Barbara and her smile

Kathy and Kit

Across the left side of the room Betty and Barb were busily engaged in toting in and setting up all nature of trash and treasures with Pam L and Pam B working on the Christmas baubles and bangles  that were being set up just before the Breezeway doors.

In the breezeway Susan and Becky G were arranging the books in the Book Nook. Back in the hall,

Marlene and Amy were setting up the Bakery tables and Janice and Becky S were arranging their tables to sell candy and other sweets.

Art, Wes and Dan were setting up a small Christmas tree with a display of hand made items that men of the church had made. This was near the front door to the right and before the kitchen.

In the middle of the Ellis Hall were tables and chairs for the selling and display of jewelry as well as a myriad of items that would include more Christmas objects as well as glassware, ceramics, games and puzzles. Carol was present as well as Kathy and Kit and later Doreen and Sharon. Pam D spent time in the craft area and more in the jewelry area during the afternoon.

Ruth Dan and the tree

The kitchen while not abuzz on this afternoon would certainly be at the center of activity on Fair Day on the morrow.

Some of the men of the church could be seen helping in the set up time and would include John, Dan, Len, Wes and Art. Pastor Tom was also present during this afternoon.

Doreen and Sharon prepare their jewelry display

Bright and sunny was the weather report for Saturday, December 2 and most of those who would be working on Winter Wonderland were arriving by 8 AM for a 9 AM opening. The weather was just as predicted and many folks were at the door waiting to come in before the grand opening hour.

One person's trash is another's treasure

On the craft table were Sally and Jeanne while at the far end of these tables Dick M had set up his electric piano where he would play Christmas music for nearly the whole of fair time. Certainly the music did a great job at keeping the spirit that is part of the fair high.

Dick plays for the crowd

In the trash and treasure area Betty and Barbara along with Jody (who split her time with other areas too) would make pleasant conversation with customers and sell many of their goods at great prices. Pam B took care of the far end where the Christmas baubles and bangles were available.

Carol is ready for the day

Becky G had set up the Book Nook and with the help of Susan accommodated many customers in their purchase of books that might be for children and adults. Several cook books could also be seen leaving in the hands of happy customers.

Aaron the magnificent

Maria arrived with table and ornaments that she would personalize by adding names to the decorations. While her location was not as convenient as some she still provided a very pleasant response to the people that visited her table.

Many card tables and eight foot tables had been set up with chairs for those that might stop for a donut and coffee or later a meal from the kitchen.

Crafts with Sally and Jeanne

Beyond the tables were the areas reserved for the Bakery and Candy crews. Amy and Marlene held down the Bakery tables that started out with three tables filled with Cookies and Scones, Carrot Cakes and Pound Cakes. On the Candy table a variety of candies including fudge were displayed. Becky S and Janice, as they have been for many years, prepared and operated this well visited area.

Bakery and Candy land

Maria

The kitchen crew consisted of Brad, Chris, Dick and Keith with Betsy presiding over the collection of money. Coffees  and donuts were available early and then as the Fair approached the noon hour it was time for people to order Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Chili, Corn Chowder and Fish Chowder. During the feeding hours the area of tables from time to time would get rather crowded and as some of the goods for sale shrank away some of those table would then be used for those who were partaking of the food.

Susan and Becky in the Book  Nook

Its lunch time

Next to the kitchen Wes, Dan Tom N and Art took turns manning a table that included a cheese wheel, note cards, wooden products all prepared and made by men of the church. Whatever monies were made on this table were designated for Mission Shares. In the Middle area of the room first in the Jewelry area one would find Doreen, Sharon, Pam D and Judy selling their well prepared and displayed wares. Other areas of the middle square were overseen by Carol, Kathy and Aaron

John lets them in at nine

UMM table

Many members of families are often in attendance and are able to sit down together for lunch. One of the special folks that seems always to make it to the fair is Marita who may even be able to remember the first fairs that were held at Peoples, even when the church was located in Ferry Village. A Centenarian plus, Marita loves to stop and talk and peruse the goods in almost all areas of the room with perhaps the jewelry area her favorite.

Crowds gather

When the gong of two was sounded it was time for pickup to occur. By 2:30 PM one would wonder if there had ever been a fair. Some of the items were carted off to side rooms for later disposal while others were carted out to waiting trucks to go to Goodwill or someone’s garage to be saved for another year. A good day’s activity had come to an end after a taxing but meaningful day before Advent. 

Waiting for business

Advent would be ushered in on the following day with the Hanging of the Greens and the setting of the Nativity scene on top of the piano. Hymns of the Christmas season and a meaningful message on the Christmas guest of the week, Zechariah presented by Pastor Tom   put us all in the true meaning of Christmas. Communion completed this day after this meaningful weekend with our church family.

Families gather for a meal together

All ages find something at the fair

Workers take a lunch break

Marieta makes the rounds

Marieta enters Ellis Hall