Second Festival of Gingerbread Houses is a sweet treat at the library
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Inspired by the classic tale "Charlotte's Web," the Anderson family created this scene from the barnyard, complete with Wilbur the pig and Charlotte's very literary web atop the barn, as part of the Second Annual Festival of Gingerbread Houses at the York Public Library.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK VILLAGE - For the second year in the row, the York Public Library has elevated the fun of holiday baking to an art form.
That's because the town came out in droves to be a part of the Second Annual Festival of Gingerbread Houses, hosted by the library as part of the Festival of Lights Celebration.
From professional bakers to local businesses, from families to community organizations, dozens upon dozens of gingerbread houses were delivered to the library last week, filling the Children's Room with the sights - and sweet smells - of the holiday season.
Sue Little of the Program Committee explained that this year's event includes a special treat: in addition to keeping these special houses, barns, local landmarks and flights of fancy on display through the week, the library is also hosting a raffle of several of the houses.
Julie Steedman of the York Public Library Program Committee echoed Little's enthusiasm at how the event has caught on in just one year.
"The response has been wonderful," she said, and the raffle is especially gratifying. "The proceeds will go to the library, but Bragdon Real Estate will match any funds raised and, in the spirit of the season, make a donation to the York Community Food Pantry."
Bragdon really got into the spirit, she noted, also making a gingerbread house for the event.
"The more local businesses we can get to do this, the better," she said.
The excitement about this event before and during last weekend's Festival of Lights continued when the library opened for this week. After school, children and their parents were strolling through the stacks, looking at gingerbread houses, naming their favorites and watching for those made by friends or classmates.
Judged by Annette Fazio and David Lincoln on Friday, Dec. 1, each entry received a ribbon just for participating, with special "first place" honors being awarded in each division.
This year's winners in the amateur division were Stonewall Kitchen employees and Sarah Garfield. For the professional division the honor went to Lucia's Kitchen. The award for a children's organization went to Elemen-Tree House of York, with the award for an adult organization going to the York Senior Center.
In the categories for families, Georgia Hansbury and the Eneman Family tied for families with children ages 11 and under. The Vachon family won the honors in the category for families with children ages 12 and up.
As Steedman pointed out, this is an event about celebrating the season and now, through the raffle, supporting the library and the Food Pantry. The raffle is ongoing in the days ahead, and anyone interested in bidding on one of the eligible houses is invited to stop by the Children's Room or call the library at 363-2818 for more information.
