Stevie Brimblecom, an artistic member of the BWC, displays "Champagne on Ice," a holiday tree design she highlighted with crystals, ribbon and a bottle of pricey bubbly. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

BEDFORD – The Bedford Women’s Club, composed of around 150 local ladies sharing cultural, educational and charitable endeavors, gathered on Dec. 5-6 in the spacious function hall of Bedford Presbyterian Church to present the club’s fourth annual Festival of Trees & Holiday Market.

“The free event was an extravaganza of more than 30 brightly lit and hand-decorated holiday trees up for gifting to raffle ticket winners,” organizers noted. “Vendors of holiday wares, musicians and a children’s craft table added to the holiday spirit.”

A truly jolly Santa Claus listened to the wish list of dozens of tots as he sat alongside a splendid holiday tree donated by the Bedford Men’s Club and decorated by members of the Bedford Women’s Club.

Event co-chairs Becki Kuhns and Eileen Kane concurred that the event was one whose volunteers, sponsors, vendors and visitors “provided sheer joy to all who visited.”

Funds raised through raffling of holiday trees and of raffle baskets support a fund dedicated for scholarships to outstanding seniors at Bedford High School. Other beneficiaries are local women pursuing degrees or continuing education in adulthood. Various area charities and town groups also are assisted.

Carly Feins, owner of Carley's Custom Cakes in Bedford, displays some of her holiday treats including decorated sugar cookies and chocolate brownies. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Members on the scene congratulated their club sisters who belong to one or another of 28 interest groups ranging from bridge game groups to outdoor hiking, golf, movie nights, restaurant dinner nights for couples and many more. Many of the special interest group participants made theme trees adorned with sewing notions, sports trinkets, candy packages or other indicators of their interest group specialty.

The Bedford Women’s Club is rooted in a desire to help those in the community thrive. Its earliest iterations are traced to 1905 when local women set a goal of raising the standard of living for women managing Bedford home life and helping to develop the educational and spiritual facets of children’s lives.

Today, the club continues the tradition of supporting the Bedford community by hosting a number of annual fundraisers backed by A Time & Talent Auction, a Whale of a Sale and a Holly Luncheon Auction.

More information on programs, membership and events within the BWC is available online at bedfordwomensclub.org.

Celebrants of the Bedford Women's Club Festival of Trees & Holiday Market included these organizers, from left, Beverly Jo Snyder, Eileen Kane, co-chair, Becki Kuhns, co-chair, Lynn Tarr, M.J. Howe and Stevie Brimblecom. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Mary Ellen McKeen, a vendor from Rocky Hill Apiaries in Somersworth who is the president of the New Hampshire Beekeepers Association, offered pure honey, balms and beeswax candles. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Marie Pelletier, representing Beeline Skin Care — Beeline LLC —in Henniker, added to the event a variety of luxury holiday gifts of creams, lotions and other natural products. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON