ST PAUL ’ S CHRISTMAS TEA

On Sunday , Nov . 27 , Christmas spirit will be in the air at the St . Paul ’ s Rest Home in Bury from 2-4 p . m . as they invite all to their Christmas Tea event at the Bury Armory . Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a cup of tea with some of the residents .

– Corey Bellam

CHALLENGE CUP AT CURLING CLUB

While out and about Saturday , we came in contact with a lady from the Lennoxville Curling Club and she was telling us about the Challenge Cup being at the Lennoxville Curling Club . We simply had to check this out , so over we went to see it .

We entered to be greeted by Mr . Rourk of the Club . He was more than happy to take us upstairs where the cup was on display . This trophy is a very famous one for sure . The Challenge Cup started in Feb . 1874 and has been played forever since that day . This trophy stands about four feet high and is covered with names of winners . The Challenge Cup is the oldest competitive trophy in all of North America . The challenge is open to any club involved with OVCA or Quebec Curling as an event under Curling Canada . Due to the vast number of curling clubs waiting to challenge for the cup , it takes usually five to seven years to get a chance to challenge for the cup . A challenge for this famous cup involves having a 10 end double rink curling game . At the end of each challenge , the trophy is presented to the team with the highest aggregate score .

There are many traditions that have been maintained over the many years of this competition . The host team welcomes the opposing team with pre-game libations . After five ends are played , the two teams stack their

brooms and take a halftime break to enjoy a drink and have a talk . The final five ends are played and the scores are added up and the winner is determined . It is then time to enjoy more rituals that come along with the Challenge Cup . An after-game meal is prepared by the host team and enjoyed by all . Finally , it is tradition to fill the cup , not with just any drink , but a rusty nail of mammoth size . This is not only enjoyed by the winning team – the cup is passed around from player to player on each team until it is empty . It is a true honor for Lennoxville to have this cup and we hope it continues forever . The two teams competing the day we visited were a team from Brockville , Ontario , and a team from Windsor , Que . The curling stones were clashing and the cheers were loud .

– Corey Bellam

SAWYERVILLE CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW

Sawyerville Elementary School got into a crafty mood on Saturday as it hosted the annual Christmas Craft Show and Sale in the gym . The doors opened at 9 a . m . to a wide assortment of knit items , Christmas crafts , baked goods , quilted items and so much more to catch the eyes of all .

We walked around visiting with all and admiring their work . We came in contact with the Jacklyn girls , Tina , Shelley , Teresa and Maria Gilbert standing behind a table filled with homemade jams , jellies , pickles , homemade relishes and many other tasty things these ladies are famous for . We also saw Laura Deadman from Sawyerville along with her pretty angels and tree decorations . This year she really outdid herself with angels . On one corner of the gym sat Jacob Harrison with a table filled with fudge . Jacob is raising money for a school trip to Boston

next May and he is raising his own money . ( His fudge sure hit the spot , in this old photo-taker ’ s opinion .) The gym was the perfect place to do some Christmas shopping .

– Corey Bellam

TWIN MOUNTAIN CRAFT FAIR

The 16th annual Christmas Craft Fair sponsored by the Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Historical Society will be held this year on Saturday , Nov . 26 , at the Carroll Town Hall gymnasium .

Featuring area artisans and entrepreneurs from New Hampshire and Vermont , the craft fair will run from 9 a . m . to 3 p . m . and will include a diverse mix of items . These will include woodcrafted items , pine wreaths , maple syrup , gift baskets , crochet / fleece / knit hats , chocolate candies , snowmen / snowman ornaments , knit sweaters , jewelry , photos , cards , local interest books , and much more .

There is no admission to the craft fair . A light lunch will be available .

The Carroll Town Hall gymnasium is located on School Street at the junction of Routes 3 and 302 .

For additional information about the craft fair , call John Woolhouse at 603-846-5434 .

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR IN ST . JOHNSBURY

The angelic-voiced musicians of the Vienna Boys Choir are coming to St . Johnsbury , following on the heels of the Ailey II Dance Company and the Havana Cuba All-Stars in what ’ s shaping up to be the most exciting KCP Presents Series in Northeast Kingdom history . “ The Vienna Boys ’ Choir in Vermont during the holidays ,” says series producer Jody Fried . “ What could be better ?”

For six centuries , Austria ’ s young cultural ambassadors

The impressive Challenge Cup trophy , currently taking up residence at the Lennoxville Curling Club . Corey Bellam photo .

Jacob Harrison of Sawyerville had a booth at the Sawyerville Elementary School Christmas Craft Sale on Saturday . Jacob is earning money so he can go on a class trip to Boston in April 2017 . Corey Bellam photo .

have been adored the world over for their wide range of repertoire , purity of tone , and generosity of musical spirit . Friday , Dec . 9 , they ’ ll take the stage at Fuller Hall to celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a delightful program of classical master-

pieces , Christmas hymns , and holiday carols .

Known also as the Wiener Sangerknaben , the Vienna Boys Choir is the world ’ s foremost children ’ s choral group . It is also among the oldest of all musical orga ( Continued on page 16 )