The Rochester Women's Guild cooks up some chicken soup in order to raise funds for a new stove at First Congregational Church.

For Yvette Beaumont, President of the guild, the best part of this year's annual Christmas Fair church is the soup, which she prepares herself. Beaumont makes the chicken soup for the church whenever they request it, with this year being all the poignant as the money raised from the fair will go towards buying a new stove in the church’s kitchen.

Beaumont prepares her soup in the church and said she is most looking forward to donating something the church needs, as well as something that will help her provide her specialty meal for anyone who might stop by.

The Women’s Guild, Beaumont said, has been holding the holiday fair for over 60 years.  According to Beverly Brewer, who first joined the guild in 1960, the fair is a community mainstay that always seems to evoke positive reactions from people.

“I think it’s the outreach,” Brewer said. “Seeing all of the familiar faces and having a word with everyone, its good fellowship. Its very special.”

She said the guild likes to be able to pick up some of the bills that may not be in the church’s budget, such as the new stove. “We can pick up the extra things,” Brewer said.

Featured in the fair were various crafts for sale that were donated by the community. Some of the homemade items included holiday wreaths, quilts, scarves and mittens, as well as Christmas decorations.  There were also silent auctions and tables of baked goods for sale.