Local traditional holiday events held last weekend
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Three long running annual holiday events were held last weekend around the county. Sweet Nursing Home held its annual bazaar on Saturday while Edwards Funeral Home and the Harlem Civic Association held there events on Sunday.
Sweet Nursing Home bazaar and beef stew luncheon
Activity Manager Jeanne Buffington, who oversees the annual bazaar at the Sweet Nursing Home, said of this year's event, "There were 18 vendors, about the normal number for the bazaar." Buffington added, "The nursing home doesn't really make anything from what the vendors sell. It's really a way to give our residents and locals a chance to do holiday shopping."
The nursing home staff and residents have their own money-making project during the bazaar. Buffington explained, "Money from sales of lefse goes toward resident activities. One day in the late fall is dedicated to making lefse, with staff and residents working together. The result is homemade lefse that is sold during the bazaar." She noted, "We don't worry if some of the lefse doesn't come out perfectly, the residents and staff simply eat the mistakes."
Buffington said this was the 15th year of the bazaar and it has steadily grown over the years. She's been in charge for the past seven years but missed the event last year when she was home recovering from the flu. She added, "The bazaar is kind of my baby and I missed being here to see how it turned out last year." She was very pleased with the turnout this year.
Edwards Funeral Home Remembrance Service
Daniel and Kadie Dahl are the new owners of Edwards Funeral Home. This was their first year to host the annual Remembrance Service in behalf of the funeral home. The event is held so families and friends may honor and remember those who died in 2017. Daniel said there was a good turnout for the event. Guests received memorial tree ornaments to take home with them. The remembrance service was held on Sunday evening at the funeral home.
Harlem's Country Christmas and new Chili Cookoff
The Harlem Civic Association has held the annual Country Christmas for several years. Typically events were held downtown, at various locations, and guests were encouraged to stroll among the activities. Organizers went with a totally new format this year with the entire old fashioned Christmas all inside at one location. Vendors, photos with Santa and a chili competition were all held at the Harlem VFW Hall. The ladies of St. Thomas Catholic church had a display of Christmas angels as well.
Initial response from vendors, guests and the chili cookoff participants and chili tasters was good. There were seven cooks in the chili competition. One organizer said, "I had some guests tell me they liked the new format because everything was in one location." Oft times bad weather made moving through downtown from one location to another problematic. Perhaps this new format will be the wave of the future for Harlem's Christmas event.
Coming up!
Two events are set for next Sunday, December 17. The Chinook Ministerial Association will host its annual Community Christmas at 3:30 pm at the Chinook High School auditorium. The event will include Christmas carols, special Christmas music and a brief message. An offering to support the community ministries of the Association will be taken. The event is non-denominational and all are welcome.
Also on Sunday Harlem VFW Post 4744 will hold a Christmas party for veterans and their guests at the VFW club. Social hour begins at 5 pm with a potluck dinner at 6 pm and cards and games to follow.
