Andover celebrates itself with food, fun and fund-raising

Artists, craftspeople and farmers sell their wares during Andover Day on Saturday. Click a photo to launch gallery. All photos by The Chester Telegraph.

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Between 250 and 300 people turned out for the 2^nd Annual Andover Day on the grounds of Andover Town Hall, 953 Weston-Andover Road, on Saturday, according to Town Clerk Linda Bargfrede.

Town Clerk Linda Bargfrede, in blue, serve customers seeking sustenance while her husband David mans the grill and her sister Diane Parker.

The annual event raised more than $2,000 to fund scholarships that go to college bound Andover students. But the real purpose of the event, said Bargfrede, is to have a good time. “And the good Lord provided us a great day to do it,” she said of the warm and sunny day.

With donations to sell of chocolate chip cookies from Fiona Morton (Sweet Fi’s Bakery of Andover) and potato chips from Lee Whiting of Deep River Snacks, “We served 15 pounds of hot dogs and 20 pounds of hamburgers,” said Bargfrede.  T-shirts were also for sale.

Vendors displayed their artwork that included paintings by a number of Andover artists, cloth baskets made by Stacey Goodman Hill, herbs and flowers from Abundance Acres farm and chainsaw-carved furniture.

One child sheepishly poses for a picture.

Artist Bob Sydorowich did a painting demonstration, then donated the finished work as a raffle prize. And Ida Mae Specker and her father John Specker played fiddle music for the crowd.

“A lot of the elderly couples come down and listen to music and see friends. It’s really a community spirit event,” said Bargfrede.

Other displays included a children’s craft area sponsored by the Andover Community Church, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, a Vermont State Police K-9 demonstration, a puppy kissing booth of the Springfield Humane Society and storytelling by John Bliss.

Deb Norton of the Springfield Humane Society holds Heather who’s waiting for a pooch smooch.

Artists display their fine works for sale.

A chainsaw carver specializes in unique furniture.