Christmas Wonderland

Peoples Christmas Fair 2019

Looking over the crafts

Becky and decorations

One of the events sponsored by Peoples UMC and looked forward to with great anticipation is the annual Christmas Fair. Named “Winter Wonderland” for a number of years it brings

Carol sets up glass display

together men, women and children to work and to visit each other in Ellis Hall. The Fair usually finds many individuals setting up their tables and wares on the day before it occurs. Some of men can be seen preparing in the kitchen while Dick S. can be seen stringing lights from the ceiling. 

Jolly Betty

Shari and Pam

Everyone needs a bear

Doreen and Sharon

Pam and Becky and books and books and books

On the day of the Fair many of the workers are making last minute preparations well before thedoors open at 9:00AM. Some of the fair goers could actually be seen outside on this beautiful morning before the doors were unlocked. This was a busy day for fair goers since there were at least three others nearby.

Sue and Jody overseeing last minute preparations

Jeanne, Dick and Jojo

Serious about his music

 Depending on the direction that community members came through the door they might begin with the Craft table overseen by Shari and Jeanne while nearby Dick M could be seen playing his electric piano. All manner of hand crafted goods could be found on these tables.

Sharon and her light up trees

Doreen and her jewels

 As one would move from that spot one might cross the walking space to look over beautifully displayed jewelry presided over by Doreen, Sharon and Pam D. Rings, bracelets and necklaces can be found among the jewelry presentations.

Pam B and Christmas decorations

 Looking beyond the jewelry tables the visitor could spend many minutes checking out a hodge podge of trash and treasures that might find any number of new owners when they would be walked out the door. Toys and puzzles, knick knacks and so many other items were displayed along one whole side of the hall. Betty S and Joanne K were charged with overseeing this collection of goods.

Betty and Joanne

At the very end of these tables could be found Pam B with all manner of Christmas decorations for sale. The choices one could pick were vast and in the best of condition for the buyer.

Trash and Treasures

Becky G, Susan A and Pam L

 Venturing out on the breezeway one would find the book room, Becky G, Pam L and Susan A were the greeters and sellers found in this area with thousands of books available for purchase. Both hard cover and paperbacks were available for a very reasonable price. One of the specialties was cook books but one could also find novels and true stories throughout the displays.

Mariah and Hannah

Moving across the back of the hall the peruser would find a table where Mariah and Hannah, with broad smiles, would make the buyer a specially decorated Christmas ornament often with a name painted on the ornament.

Marlene and Amy

 Next most people would need to stop at the bakery tables with homemade scones, cookies, and whoopee pies for sale. These tables were presided over by Marlene T and Amy W. Some folks would soon be having coffee and so bought one of these sweets to go with it at the tables set up in the middle of the hall for snacks and lunch. Many would buy goodies to take home and perhaps share with family.

Becky G and Janice

Mariah and Rosemary

Becky S and Janice H were next door at the candy and sweets table. Again a favorite table for those with a sweet tooth. All of the sweets were wrapped in plastic bags or wraps of the season.

Kitchen crew

Rosemary

The kitchen crew had prepared coffee for anyone that wanted something hot in the morning and had also begun to prepare a full course luncheon menu that included corn and fish chowder, Chili that certainly was warming and if you wanted something in the form of a sandwich chicken salad was available as well as hot dogs. Working in the kitchen or handling the money were Brad, Keith, Dick S, Len, Danielle and Rosemary.

Anyone for lunch?

Nearing the end of our trip around the hall were the tables of merchandise prepared and worked on by Carol and Kathy. A variety of goods like glass goblets and other seemingly valuable trinkets were available at these tables.

Carol And Kathy

See no evil, Speak no evil, Hear no evil

Finally nearing the door the United Methodist Men had tables with old tools, wooden goods, baked beans and sharp cheese to sell. A variety of greeting card packs were also available for purchase. Among those working on this table were Art, Dan, Merrill, Wes, and Dick M. Dick M also was busy most of the time playing Christmas music on his electric piano.

Marita G

Aunt Irene and Thomas

The visitors who came to buy or spend some time in the holiday air were of all ages. One can see that Pastor Tom had his grandson Thomas and Thomas’s Aunt Irene. Not to far away, Peoples oldest member could be seen looking over merchandise at the jewelry counter. At 105 and soon to be 106 Marita G is a still quite spry and still teaching piano students.

Pastor Tom, Irene and Thomas

With merchandise from some of the tables unsold by the end of the day, much of it was packed up and taken to the local Goodwill store as a donation to their causes.

The Christmas Fair always gets many of the members of the church involved and doing a fun and at the same time meaningful event in the life of the church accomplished with the right “Spirit”.