The end of the fall season met the beginning of winter and the holiday season as the local community gathered at the First Congregational Church's annual Harvest and Holly Fair.

The fair held Saturday, Nov. 16 at the First Congregational Church's meeting house featured a variety of local vendors selling handcrafted holiday crafts while the church sold produce to supply the community with what they need for upcoming holiday feasts.

According to, Rev. Philomena Hare, senior pastor of the church the fair serves as a way for the local community to connect with one another, and while she said it is a fundraiser, the fair is also a "fun" raiser for the church.

"It's a way for the community to get together to buy local products, and it's an opportunity for us to invest in our community," said Hare. "These are all local people bringing these crafts that they've spent hours doing and at the end of the day, we are making a statement to our community and saying we want to invest in you."

Hare added the fair has been going on for over 30 years, and all the money the church raises fund their weekly community breakfasts.

Now entering her fifth year as senior pastor, Hare said she has seen the church help people not only connect with one another but also provide them with fresh produce for the holiday season.

"Many people come and buy their produce for Thanksgiving and it's less expensive than it would be at a local grocery store," said Hare. "We help families stretch their grocery dollars."

Cathy Phinney and her husband Mack Phinney were at the fair as a way to get out and do something different.

"We always like to support the local community, and it's a fun thing to do on a Saturday," said Cathy Phinney.

Mack Phinney added "it's nice to see people you haven't seen in a while."

Hare said giving the local community the opportunity to connect with one another while celebrating the end of fall and the beginning of the holiday season is what she tries to accomplish with the fair.

"It's all about knowing our neighbors and how can we be of service and partner with our neighbors," said Hare.