Prattsburgh Winterfest nets 440 can donations

PRATTSBURGH - Prattsburgh area residents donated more than 440 canned foods to the local Rotary Club's food pantry as part of the 2007 Winterfest celebration held last week.

In spite of the frigid weather, a large crowd turned out to celebrate in the town park, where Finger Lakes Singers sang Christmas carols, and later at the Prattsburgh library, where visitors enjoyed the sights of 21 gingerbread houses. Katy Jensen took top prize for her own gingerbread creation.

More than 20 decorated trees lit up the park, where Santa Claus arrived via a Prattsburgh fire department truck for photographs and gift presentations.

Winners of the tree decorating contest were determined according to the number of canned goods underneath each tree. Grand prize went to Prattsburgh Pioneers 4-H Club. The business prize went to the Snow and Mow Shop, while the Prattsburg Protectives took the prize in the organization category.

Eileen Filkens, president of the Prattsburgh Rotary Club, which sponsored Winterfest, extended the club's thanks to everyone involved in making the celebration memorable.