Maplebrook School holds Winter Fest

AMENIA — Embracing the season of sharing and caring, the students and staff at Maplebrook School worked together to transform their campus into a winter wonderland for its Winter Fest holiday celebration on Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11.

Visitors were asked to bring donations of a new hat, scarf or pair of mittens for the price of admission to the event, which ran from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday night and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Walking around the decorated campus of recognizable yellow buildings located off Route 22 in Amenia, revelers could spot a cheerful group of students singing Christmas carols to ring in the holiday season.

Holiday gifts, hot chocolate and other treats were made available for purchase, and visiting children were invited to take part in Christmas crafts and other festive activities. Many even got the chance to make their own snow globes, take holiday photos behind painted Christmas cutouts and even visit with Santa Claus.

Though the weather was more frightful than delightful on Saturday, no amount of rainfall could dampen the Maplebrook School’s holiday cheer as it adjusted the festivities around the forecast.

All proceeds raised at the Winter Fest went to benefit the decades-long Adopt-A-Family program in Millerton, which donates new winter clothing, toys, books, sports gear, etc., and gift cards to children in need enrolled in the Webutuck and Pine Plains Central School Districts during the holiday season.

To send a donation to Adopt-a-Family, mail it to P.O. Box 880, Millerton, NY 12546 or call 518-789-4508 for details.

From left, Maplebrook School faculty members Rolinda Luther and Michael Schnurr and students Thomas Schiavone Jr., Rebecca Rowland and Anna Sudderth sold a variety of delicious treats at the Winter Fest bake sale. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Dressed for the holidays from head to toe, a pair of students welcomed visitors to Maplebrook School’s Winter Fest. Photo by Jennifer Scully

From left, Maplebrook School faculty members Rolinda Luther and Michael Schnurr and students Thomas Schiavone Jr., Rebecca Rowland and Anna Sudderth sold a variety of delicious treats at the Winter Fest bake sale. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

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