A Different Look At Christmas

Thursday, December 09, 1999 Page: 4A

A different look at Christmas

By Stephanie Bombay Wilkes-Barre Leader Staff Writer
With Christmas only a few weeks away, shopping centers and stores were filled
Saturday with harried shoppers in search of certain must-have Christmas gifts.

Many other consumers, however, prefer to browse at tables filled with
handmade necklaces and dolls, while enjoying fresh soup and homemade pumpkin
pie.

Saturday, First Presbyterian Church opened its doors to its sixth annual
Alternative Christmas Fair.

“Besides selling crafts, it’s giving (families) the chance to do something
together,” said Pam Kerns of the fair.

Kerns is the Christian education director for the Wilkes-Barre church and
organizer of this year’s sale.

Returning this year were several local artisans and seamstresses, ready to
display, and hopefully sell, their finest wares.

Among those who sponsored booths were representatives of the Peace Center
who presented a variety of candles, books and calendars. The center also
offered its annual holiday card. This year’s card was designed by
second-graders from Main Street Elementary Center in Plymouth.

Kim Biggs, Bear Creak Township, donated part of her Saturday to work the
stands. However, her children, Louisa and Travis Keil, spent the day looking
at crafts, playing with friends and sneaking snacks.

In addition to a selection pre-made crafts, visitors could make their own
gifts.

Fresh pine branches were available for holiday wreaths and colored wax was
on hand for personalized candles. Fifteen-year-old Molly Ihnots, of Harding,
spent the day helping little hands make paper Santa Claus hats.

After an afternoon of shopping and crafting, people stopped by the church
kitchen where youth group members served soup and sandwiches. Those with a
sweet tooth bypassed the kitchen and headed straight to the bake sale stand,
manned by members of the women’s association. Volunteers prepared a variety of
cookies, pies and cakes.

Proceeds from the food sale benefit the youth group, other than that the
church did not make any money from Saturday’s event. Vendors were not charged
for their display space.

Kerns said the purpose of the fair was not to make money, but generate the
Christmas spirit.

“It’s mostly to get people together.”