Fun on a winter’s day in Wilton

Margie Lemay of Nelson’s Candy in Wilton offers snow turtles to patrons for WinterFest.

Margie Lemay of Nelson’s Candy in Wilton offers snow turtles to patrons for WinterFest. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Snowmen of white chocolate were WinterFest fare at Nelson’s Candy.

Snowmen of white chocolate were WinterFest fare at Nelson’s Candy. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Addison Raymond of Wilton enjoys a s’more courtesy of volunteer Lynne Stone, left, at WinterFest.

Addison Raymond of Wilton enjoys a s’more courtesy of volunteer Lynne Stone, left, at WinterFest. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Ice Breakers of Manchester warm the edges of ice blocks to make them freeze together better as they create their sculptures. 

Ice Breakers of Manchester warm the edges of ice blocks to make them freeze together better as they create their sculptures.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Yeti treats from white chocolate tempt patrons at Nelson’s Candy. 

Yeti treats from white chocolate tempt patrons at Nelson’s Candy.  —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Dave Soha of Ice Breakers put the finishing touches on the Anger character from the film “Inside Out” at Wilton’s WinterFest Saturday.

Dave Soha of Ice Breakers put the finishing touches on the Anger character from the film “Inside Out” at Wilton’s WinterFest Saturday. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

By DAVID ALLEN

Monadnock Ledger Transcript

Published: 02-17-2025 12:01 PM

Fire and ice weren’t too far apart at WinterFest in Wilton Saturday.

In one corner of Main Street Park, Lynne Stone and Patsy Belt added wood to a fire pit to take the edge off a February afternoon, while in another corner, craftsmen from Ice Breakers of Manchester sawed and sculpted at frozen blocks, encouraging people to guess what the finished work would be.

Making the most of the fire, Stone was offering up s’mores to all. Addison Raymond, 9, of Wilton, took her up on the offer. No stranger to the Wilton Main Street Association event, two years ago, Stone helped prepare the winning entry in the chili cook-off.

“Patsy and I are actually pinch-hitting for someone here. It’s the fourth or fifth WinterFest held here in town,” said Stone.

Across the way, Dave Soha and Dennis Hickey of Ice Breakers were putting the finishing touches on a what Amelia Y., 9, of Wilton, guessed was a tiki totem from the South Seas. A younger passerby in a hurry got it right – the Anger character from the film “Inside Out.”

Next door at Nelson’s Candy, owner Margie Lemay offered white chocolate snowmen, snow turtles and treats in the shape of Yeti, who, Lemay reminded a patron, resides up on Carnival Hill in town.

Up the street at the Second Congregational Church, there were nine entries in the chili cook-off, with two Wilton residents taking home the honors. First prize in chili with meat was previous winner Dave Raymond, father of Addison, and the vegetarian prize went to Stephanie Evans.

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