The Friends of the Greenfield Community Meetinghouse sixth annual Oktoberfest is Saturday, Sept. 27, from 4 to7 p.m. at Oak Park in Greenfield. The FGCM Oktoberfest raises funds for the restoration of the 230-year old Greenfield Meetinghouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as “the oldest Meetinghouse in NH used by both church and state.”
As secretary of the FCGM, I can attest to the fact that getting ready for Oktoberfest is never dull, and that it truly takes a village. We are thrilled to have added chef Todd Powell to our crew of volunteer cooks this year. Todd, Warren Aldrich and Keg Baldwin are busy figuring out our all-homemade menu, including the wildly popular cheesy spaetzle, which Keg makes completely from scratch. It is going to be fabulous this year.
Every year, incredibly kind people show up to help us with Oktoberfest— in the kitchen, at the buffet and with set up and teardown, jumping in whenever and wherever needed. Every year, people stick their heads in the kitchen to thank us for continuing to host Oktoberfest. And each year, people who are unable to attend make donations for the Meetinghouse during Oktoberfest to show their support for the project.
When the Friends threw our first Oktoberfest in 2018, we hoped at least 50 people would show up. We were thrilled (and maybe a little frazzled) when we had about 200 guests, and we have grown — and learned a lot — every year.
Last year, we moved Oktoberfest to Oak Park for the first time, and while the setting is not quite as stunning as our lovely Meetinghouse and town common, it works a whole lot better as far as cooking, parking, restrooms and logistics are concerned. Parents appreciate having the playground nearby, the musicians like the gazebo and the cooks love the Oak Park kitchen. We also now have room to host the vendors of Greenfield Farmers and Crafters market for a final market of the season.
This year, instead of a cord of wood, the Friends will be raffling a DR Power Equipment wood splitter. The wood splitter was donated to the Greenfield Recycling Center and repaired by Chuck Setaro, who has tested it out by splitting his own cord of wood. Thanks to the generosity of Caleb “C.J.” Hall and the crew at the Greenfield Recycling Center, the wood splitter comes with five gallons of bar oil and gas mix. CJ says it is enough to get someone through a whole winter of splitting wood.
The winner of the wood splitter will be announced after $1,000 of raffle tickets are sold. The Friends will continue to sell tickets online and at other town events until the minimum is reached.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Friends have raised about $200,000 for the Meetinghouse. These funds enabled the town to qualify for a $1 million New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority community center program grant. The CDFA grant is funding the renovation of the basement community center, which had been condemned for water damage, and install an elevator, new wheelchair ramp and accessible restrooms.
Accessibility for all people is especially important in Greenfield, as our town has been home to the residents of the Crotched Mountain School (now Seven Hills at Crotched Mountain) and the Plowshare Farm community for many decades.
Before renovations to the Meetinghouse began, the FGCM hosted as many events as we could at the Meetinghouse to get people in the door. Many residents have never seen the second floor sanctuary or the third floor choir loft, or peeked into the bell tower, which has been mostly untouched since the late 1700s. Many other residents have memories of playing in the basement during Town Meeting, attending church, memorial services and weddings in the sanctuary, and talent shows, dances and plays on the first floor. We always say the Meetinghouse is the “heart and soul of Greenfield.”
We always suggest advance ticket purchase, which is $5 less than at the gate, as we sometimes sell out. Where else can you get a homemade dinner buffet, live music, two drink tickets and a craft fair all for $30? Tickets are available at www.greenfieldmeetinghouse.org/events. We hope to see you there!
Reporter and columnist Jesseca Timmons is the secretary of the Friends of the Greenfield Community Meetinghouse. www.greenfieldmeetinghouse.org.
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