November 17 Contest Deadline Nears
The elves of the New Bern Potters don’t take a back seat to Santa’s crowd when it comes to Christmas preparations. They are partnering with the New Bern Historical Society preparing ornaments and awards for the upcoming Gingerbread House Contest & Display. Each person or group that enters the Gingerbread House Contest will receive a unique ornament crafted by members of the New Bern Potters. In addition, they are preparing the very special pottery awards that will accompany the cash prizes presented to the winners in each category.
At a recent workshop session, the potters prepared more than 50 ornaments that will be given to participants. Joyce Basye, organizer of the group is leading this effort. She explains, “Working with the New Bern Historical Society on this project we are able to support New Bern and share our love of clay. We are working together and giving to the community and at the same time we are able to showcase our creative talents. I am not at all surprised by the generosity of the clay community and I have tremendous respect for their creative ability.”
All the awards and a sampling of the ornaments will be on display for public viewing in the window of Thornbury Brides from November 11 to November 24th. “We hope that people will take the time to see and appreciate these wonderful works of art that we are excited to be able to award to the Contest winners”, said Mickey Miller, Executive Director of the Historical Society. “Perhaps seeing them will move many to enter the contest. Remember the deadline is November 17.”
The Gingerbread House Contest and Display is part of the festivities of Beary Merry Christmas downtown. Both individuals and groups are invited to make their own gingerbread house and enter it in the contest. Completed houses will be displayed at selected downtown merchants. There will be three categories for contestants: Youth (up to 14), Adults, (age 15 and up), and Professionals (bakers, chefs, caterers, cooks, etc.) There will be cash prizes up to $200 and special prizes hand made by members of the New Bern Potters. And all who enter will receive a hand-crafted pottery ornament. The deadline to enter is November 17th. Information and entry forms will be found on the New Bern Historical Society website www.NewBernHistorical.org/gingerbread/
The mission of the New Bern Historical Society is to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education. Offices are located in the historic Attmore Oliver House at 511 Broad Street in New Bern. For more information, call 252-638-8558 or go to NewBernHistorical.org or Facebook.com/NewBernHistoricalSociety.
Submitted by: Kathy Morrison, New Bern Historical Society