Patti Pinkard Remembers The Christmas Bazaar
Sonny and I were married by Dr. Amos on December 21, 1985, and became members of the church. Gradually as we got to know people, all I heard was how wonderful the Christmas Bazaar was. Being about as crazy and excited about that prospect as Reverend Ewald is about Christmas, I could hardly wait!

Frances Broadhurst, Vee Stearn and Vee Ashworth were all standing by the door in their old-fashioned long skirts and aprons, and Al Broadhurst and big Ed Long told us where we were needed to work. I wanted to be where the aroma of baked bread was coming from!

Sonny helped package goodies for people who had said they slept in their cars, so they could be here when we opened. They had driven down from Pennsylvania. That's how famous the handicraft and décor had become.

I thought how wonderful it will be helping create things for the Bazaar next year. I cried and cried when I was told that this was to be our last Bazaar! The husbands finally said that working on the Bazaar two or three days a week for the entire year was just too much!

I was so sad, and every year, as I take out the tiny ribboned tree and the lace and flowered hat box in pink silk that Sonny had bought there for me, it brings back such wonderful memories of my first year at Potomac United Methodist Church.

The atmosphere, ambience, and camaraderie reminded me of my childhood Lutheran Church in Minnesota.