THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610230144
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 57 lines
The Candy Factory is in full operation at Oakland Christian Church to produce mouth-watering goodies for Fall Fest '96.
It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2.
Fest coordinators Judy Harrell and Jo Anne Thomas said nearly everyone in Oakland's 200-member congregation is involved in the preparation. Sunday School classes and organizations have chosen individual projects, and assembly-line production is in full swing.
The candy committee has been working since early September. Led by Brenda Wright and members of the Mildred Knight Class, this group has gathered weekly to boil a brew of Karo syrup, sugar and water. Then, they've added flavoring oil and coloring and dusted the mix with powdered sugar. Next, members have cut the delicacy into bite-size portions for packaging in decorative jars and holiday baskets. The colorful results are charming to the eye and temptingly delicious.
Other treats in the Candy Store on Saturday will include homemade peanut and chocolate fudge, sugared pecans and peanuts and peanut brittle.
Alongside the candy store will be Granny's pantry and country store, where cookbooks are featured. Holiday treasures will include an Oakland Church commemorative onament at a display prepared by the Mark Burns Bible Class.
For holiday decorating, magnolia and boxwood wreaths may be ordered.
Children's games will be provided by the church youth group. Face-painting and Sparkles the Clown will offer other opportunities for some tyke-size fun.
Peanuts, doughnuts, coffee and apple cider may be purchased during the activities, and a luncheon of Brunswick stew and ham biscuits will be sold from noon until 2 p.m.
Tickets for $1 each will provide participants an opportunity to win a handmade Oakland quilt, a fall arrangement by Ray Bennett, a framed print by David Nelms and a gift certificate to Front Street House Restaurant.
Mountain-grown apples and cider will be sold by the junior and senior youths. Today is the deadline to order apples and cider for pickup Nov. 2. Contact the church office for details, prices and order forms.
Harrell said, ``We raised over $7,000 in 1995, and that money went toward our mission projects and ministries in the community.''
From those proceeds, the church gave generously to Meals on Wheels, the Genieve Shelter, several local families in crisis and a new UCC church in Virginia Beach.
Fall Fest '96 will be held in the fellowship hall and Godwin Room at Oakland Christian Church, 5641 Godwin Blvd., Chuckatuck. Call the church office at 255-4353 for additional information. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Members of the candy committee - Carolyn Smith, left, Eunice Bounds,
Brenda Wright and Judy Harrell - place the mouth-watering goodies
they have made into jars for Fall Fest '96 at Oakland Christian
Church. by CNB