Strafford
“Strafford is really blessed with some beautiful historic buildings,” said John Freitag, who is one of the society’s 32 members. “These windows not only provide comfort, joy and inspiration when you’re inside the building, but also for those who pass by.”
The desire to complete the project is part of the reason the society has decided to revive what used to be an annual and much-beloved event in Strafford: a Mardi Gras celebration, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 7-10 p.m., at Barrett Hall. “This is our first really big fundraiser,” Freitag said.
The event was last held about a decade ago, Freitag said. The admission fee — $5 for children, $10 for adults and $25 for a family — will go toward restoring the windows. “We had three that were critical,” said the Rev. Telos Whitfield.
Those three have already been restored by Corinth artist Kathy Chapman; each of the remaining nine need to be fixed up in some fashion.
While an exact age of the windows is unknown, they’re believed to be more than 100 years old, Freitag said. The society was founded in 1798 and the Strafford Universalist Church itself was built in 1833, according to the organization’s website.
Each window costs about $6,000 to restore, Freitag said.
“The project is a long haul and the way you often accomplish things in Vermont is by paying attention to them and working on them when you have the means,” he said. “It’s one of those important things about Vermont villages that both show the strength and commitment of those who have lived before us in these communities who have matched beauty of our natural surroundings with the beauty of our buildings.”
But the windows aren’t the only motivation for the Mardi Gras event. “One of the reasons we’re doing this is because it’s also important to have a good time, particularly this time of year,” Freitag said.
The celebration includes performances by The Pillsbury Slow Boys and Fred Crawford, dancing, limbo and costume contest, New Orleans-inspired food, a parade and the crowning of a king and queen.
The hope is that Mardi Gras will become an annual celebration again, with the proceeds going to a different community organization each year.
“Even in the deeper winter there’s a time to celebrate, have fun and make merry,” Freitag said.
For more information, visit www.strafforduu.org or email Whitfield at telosw@gmail.com.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
