Winter Fun-
Walk-In Café Holiday Party

There was lots of smiling, conversing, snacking, singing and general joviality at the second annual winter holiday party of Age-Friendly Coastal Communities and Healthy Peninsula’s Walk-In Café. 

The Walk-In Café is a free weekly community event open to all ages and ability levels in Blue Hill. During the summer and warm days in the spring and fall it is held outside near the head of the Murphy Trail, a Blue Hill Heritage Trust maintained accessible walking trail in the heart of downtown Blue Hill. During the colder months the café is held in Fisher Hall at the nearby First Congregational Church of Blue Hill. Initially created in 2021 to facilitate intergenerational and older adult socializing in a more Covid safe environment, the Walk-In Café is an opportunity for community members to go for a forest stroll or sit and have a friendly chat with friends and neighbors over a cup of coffee or a plate of snacks. 

This year’s holiday party included a Yankee swap, a sing-a-long, and an opportunity to take festive photos with friends. Lori Sitzabee, Director of The New Surry Theatre, joined us with her guitar and led the singing of holiday songs old and new. There were requests for “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, “My Favorite Things”, and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”, mixed in with a wide range of seasonal classics. It was wonderful seeing people happily singing along with their favorites. Thanks, Lori!

Everyone who attended was able to participate in the Yankee Swap and take home a present. Many of the attendees brought multiple gifts to make sure that all their fellow guests could participate. There was a wonderful variety of gifts at the swap; books, vinyl records, art supplies, jams, maple syrup, home raised eggs, and more. 

For the second year the church provided us with an adorable backdrop of a festive outdoor scene with a glowing lamppost and a jolly snowman. Attendees posed in front of the backdrop with their friends and family for photographs.  Everyone had a fun time and we’re all already looking forward to next year!