A beautiful fall day helped make Applefest a “huge success,” said Helene Miller, one of the many volunteer Friends of Beaverdams Church, at a recent Friends meeting.
More than 100 people visited the historic church to fill up on apples, apple cider, and apple pies, with nearly 200 pies pre-ordered. While listening to the three gifted Gomez sisters play the cello, violin and piano, the apple pie social also provided an opportunity for people to see the recently completed siding on the 1832 heritage building.
“This is a turning point,” said Friends president Dave Cowan at the meeting.
“We are finished the outside for all practical purposes, so this season, we’ll be planning the interior. It’s a country church, and we want to keep it that way, but we do want to get rid of the ceiling blocking the gallery.”
While an electrician completes updating the lighting and Friends add their finishing touches to current projects—including installing authentic antique door locks, the rustic church is already opening its new doors to host events.
Cowan said it proved the perfect venue for “an interesting Gothic wedding in September, with the history background of the church printed on the back of their programs.”
Once the interior is renovated to match the exterior, the scenic lakeside church will become an ideal place for weddings, concerts, art shows, and similar events.
“We have done a huge amount this year and since summertime,” said Cowan, adding, “We have a new security system with four high-definition cameras” to cover all angles of the building.
Extra security is provided by Marlatts Road residents, who “keep vigilant about people coming and going” near the church property.
Next up, the Friends’ annual festive Christmas get-together at the Beaverdams Church—which includes a special wreath hanging ceremony—“Should be extra special this year with our new doors and siding,” said Donna Cowan.
Nothing ushers in the holidays like an old-fashioned Christmas carol sing and community food drive, which will be held, along with the wreath hanging, on Saturday Dec.7 at 1:30 p.m.
“It’s a wonderful way to start the season.”
According to Cowan, “We have held this event for the last five years, and it draws a large crowd. Everyone is welcome but they must dress warmly, as we have no heat. We have a truck parked outside the church and everyone puts their food donations in the truck on their way into the event. Once the truck is loaded, it heads to Community Care.”
Due to the lack of heat, the event is brief, lasting about 45 minutes, she said, adding that hot chocolate and apple cider will be served to help warm things up.
“We are having a $500 cash raffle draw that day as well. There are only 1,200 tickets printed,” which means "great odds” of winning cash for Christmas. Tickets cost $3 each or 2 for $5.
More information is available here.
