WEST BRATTLEBORO — The First Congregational Church would like to improve the accessibility of its historic building on Western Avenue.
To that end, the church's 56th annual Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will focus on raising money to purchase a stairlift to allow better access to the basement, where events such as the spring Maple Sugar Suppers are held - and to the restrooms.
The church, established in 1769, has approximately 100 members. It's an aging congregation, and although a ramp offers access to services, the lack of access to other church areas and functions has been a problem.
Featured items include tasty, Vermont-inspired beverages: a moo-maple smoothie and a Purple Cow, which consists of vanilla ice cream and milk in grape soda. “You ought to taste a Purple Cow,” said Nancy Brosz, who's arranging the festivities.
The drink is a family recipe of longtime congregant Ellen Hamilton.
“We're presenting things that are Vermont,” with maple syrup, baked goods, and homemade fudge among the items for sale, Brosz added.
Other items to raffle include a hand-carved loon, a settee, a Chistmas tree skirt, gift cards, a painting, knitted and sewn items, wreaths, berry bowls, Christmas decorations, and two quilts - including a queen-size quilt made by a church member and hand-tied by several women of the church, done in a labyrinthine pattern.