Schweitzer Hall has never looked more festive – or been fuller – than it was during Saturday’s St. Barnabas Church Holiday Bazaar that Chairperson Emily Seddon declared was “a great success; the best in recent memory.”

People in what described as “a record-setting crowd” were amazed as well as impressed with the number of pre-holiday shopping opportunities that ranged from an expanded Gifts-to-Go section that took up the entire stage inside the Episcopal Church’s parish hall.

If people wanted to take a chance at the Penny Social area, there were more than 100 prizes to choose from; almost as many different pieces of homemade baked goods that countless proud parishioners made from scratch and as Seddon emphasized: “You can see the love of Christ shine when we all come together for the greater good of the church.”

Every area of the parish hall was full of offerings as well as people and Seddon – as well as volunteers – were amazed with countless people from the community filled not one but three White Elephant Rooms and Café Schweitzer where bazaar goers enjoyed snacks and lunches that ranged from soup to grilled cheese sandwiches.

“They’re even serving Allie’s Donuts,” mused a man who had just purchased raffle tickets for one of the many prizes featured on a table at the parish hall entrance. “Now that’s the sign of an extra special event.”

In keeping with the long-standing tradition, the 2019 bazaar also featured a program-like booster book which was filled with advertisements and well-wishes from people like Warwick Mayor Joseph J. Solomon to Dave’s Fresh Marketplace and Wave dental, home of the famous electronic message center that promoted the event courtesy of Dr. Kenneth J. Rudman, DMD.

But perhaps Rev. Scott Lee, the pastor at St. Barnabas Church, best described the bazaar after standing at the entrance and greeting visitors and parishioners alike.

“The bazaar made a fair bit of money,” Father Lee announced. “But the community interaction, for me, was the real highlight. The thing that stood out for me is how nice it is to find something that brings people together. This world is so terribly divided, but holiday festivities unite us in a wonderful way. The bazaar embodied the best of the holiday hustle and bustle. People came together around love and hope, something this world so desperately needs.” Cutllines for pix on sheets slugged 11-18-19 816

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WARM WELCOME:

Rev. Scott Lee, the Pastor at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Apponaug, is all smiles and joined by his wife Ashley Lee (left) and Bonnie Simonian who staffed the Main Raffle Table during Saturday’s Holiday Bazaar. BAZ 2 IMG 6412

GIFT GUYS:

St. Barnabas Church parishioners Richard Budlong and Ron Bonenfant volunteered to staff the Gifts-to-Go area that had so many offerings it took up the entire stage area in Schweitzer Hall. BAZ 3 IMG 6420

SOCIAL SCENE:

St. Barnabas Bazaar Chairperson Emily Seddon (center) is joined by Chris Marzella (left) and Heather McLaughlin at the Penny Social area that featured upwards of 100 special prizes Saturday.