Presbyterian Church prepares for Holiday Bazaar Nov 1
On Sunday, members of the Presbyterian Church in Soda Springs were treated to a presentation by former congregant Frederick Partey. Partey is the reason the church became involved in an ongoing series of projects to support potable water wells in Ghana, where Partey’s home village is. Partey lives and works in the United States most of the year, but returns to Africa to coordinate a project started with the assistance of the Presbyterian Church in Soda Springs. Over the years, the church has directed funds raised during the Holiday Bazaar and through other efforts toward the creation and maintenance of the wells in Partey’s original home country of Ghana. While the financial outlay is modest in the grand scheme of things, it has made an immense difference in the lives of those who can now obtain clean water miles closer to their homes, according to Partey. Fredrick spoke with church members following services on Sunday, answering questions and explaining the current stage of the projects, which have been partially sponsored by the bazaar.
The Bazaar, which has raised money in the past for the same well projects, is scheduled for November 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with take out starting at 11:00 a.m.
The event has been a highlight of the season for nearly the last eight and a half decades, being started at the outset of World War II to provide soldiers shipping out some of reminders of home that the community felt they might need. Over time, many of the specifics of the event have changed, but the essential mission of providing support to those who need it, and in the process bringing together the community as a whole in the spirit of Thanksgiving, has remained the same.
Marilyn Kukachka is one of several organizers of the yearly event. She put the number at around 35 of volunteers who helped make the event a success last year, “and that doesn't include some women who helped make some of the potatoes and pies.” The menu for the dinner this year is listed as a “Turkey dinner with all the fixins,” including gravy, potatoes, stuffing, yams/sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Based on past years, it will be impossible for anyone who attended to leave hungry, and Pastor Nathan Sobers—who made sure everyone left with food to take home last year—is likely to once again make sure everyone makes themselves at home, fills their stomachs, and stays as long as they’d like.
The food, as well as the setup cleanup, serving, and other essential elements of the event are a combined effort of the many people, including those representing a number of other faiths. Last year, Kukachka noted that “The 5th ward supplied some of the pies and potatoes, the Bishop's wife made baby quilts, and lots of people of various faiths, or having no religious leanings, showed up.”
The event used to be called the Presbyterian Women Annual Harvest Bazaar, but was updated several years ago to reflect the efforts of the men involved in the preparations. In similar fashion, the volunteers included members from all around the community.
In addition to the food, a lot of impressive and interesting items will be up for auction and sale, including crafts and baked goods and candy. A quilt raffle and silent auction will be held during the event. Quilt raffle tickets are 1 for $1, or 6 for $5. Dinner itself is open to everyone, with a “free-will offering” encouraged.
Last year, organizers reported that they served about 380 meals, over 2/3 of which were take-outs. Volunteers in the kitchen kept up a consistent hum of activity all morning, as food orders were packed up and shipped out or sent off with the hundreds who availed themselves of the feast.
In the past, the organizers have used donations raised at the bazaar to help with some very ambitious projects, including the wells in Ghana Partey came to Soda Springs to speak about. For the cost of around $8,000 U.S. dollars, the Ghanan village was able to repair one of the well structures that had a cracked base, and begin work on an additional fourth well.
The wells have gone approximately 100 meters deep to hit water. The wells run off electricity from a nearby hydroelectric dam on the Volta River. Partey is an environmental resource manager with KGM Industries, and has the skills needed to make sure that the project is well managed. Samples of the water are taken to ensure that they there are not any problems with the supplies. Most of the oversight involves maintaining the basic equipment. Repairs are relatively simple in some ways, but the cost can be overwhelming for the villagers, which is where the donations can be a major help.
The project, as it was originally conceived, will hopefully ultimately expand to provide access to viable drinking water wells along a route of villages that are in need of them. Access to clean water is one of the most critical requirements for sustainability and health. Waterborne diseases can wreak devastation on remote populations, and maintained wells are a major means of controlling water quality. In addition to health concerns, the amount of time saved by being able to access water sources within quick walking distance is significant. The safety of the process is also improved.
The yearly success of the Bazaar is a testament to the generosity and spirit of giving among Caribou County residents, but also a reminder that everyone regardless of their place in life or the community has an innate need to gather and spend time among friends, especially as the days grow colder and darker on the calendar path to Christmas, and the season of lights.
Partey ended his presentation by showing the group pictures of his children. His son, who was in fifth grade at the time he first came to Soda Springs, is now in college. “I have to say thank you to this church,” Partey said. “You have done so much for people you haven’t even met. You are always welcome to visit Accra [in Ghana] any time you wish. I go once a year and you are always welcome to go with me! Thank you and god bless you all.”
For take out information or orders, call (208) 547-3771.
