Who knows what positive influences had their way with our Holiday Festival on Friday night? Was it the good weather? the newspaper coverage? the internet? the new signs? the pull of tradition?

Most likely it's down to the fun-loving, committed community of the Bakerville Library.

Thanks to the Friends of the Bakerville Library, who solicited donations, donated themselves, thanked, cleaned, organized, set up, decorated, prepared libations, served, and cleaned up again.

Thanks to the Board of Directors, who set up the Christmas tree outside, orchestrated the singing, and baked heavenly cookies. And thanks to Mary Lee and Bob Dunn, who donated the Christmas tree.

Thanks to the Slate family for bringing their fresh wreaths and fresh faces.

Thanks to everyone who entered our first annual Gingerbread Contest.

Thanks to everyone who placed a bid, sang a song, ran around the Christmas tree, sat on Mrs. Claus's lap, drank a cup of hot cider, gossiped with old friends, ate a cookie, made a lollipop holder—everyone who added the Bakerville Library to their already full first-week-of-December schedule.

Thanks especially to Mrs. Claus!

Finally, thanks to the many, many auction donors. Watch this space in the next day or two for specific thanks and links.

At the end of the evening, all the cool kids had their picture taken with you-know-who.