To the Editor:

The Hollis Woman’s Club and the Hollis Town Band held their annual Strawberry Festival on Sunday, June 28, at Hollis Brookline Middle School. Many first-time attendees did not let the rain outside dampen their spirits.

Patti Tures mentioned how well the band sounded. Phyl­lis Harmon from Raymond said she will make this an an­nual event.

Tony Cireca from Wakefield was caught pushing a stroll­er while waiting for his toddler to get her face painted. He exclaimed, "I could be dealing with these two at home or enjoying myself here. Where else can I feed the family for under $20 and listen to this good music?"

Members and friends of the HWC start on Friday hull­ing 380 quarts of strawberries from Brookdale and Lull Farms. On Saturday, members baked 80 pans of their new scratch recipe for shortcake. Sixty-five quarts of whip cream provided by Harvest Market were used to make the home­made whip cream. And of course Doc Davis ice cream was scooped on top of those luscious berry treats.

Monies earned at these festivals help the HTB and the HWC support their philanthropic and educational causes. The HTB buys new music and instruments for the band, which includes musicians of all ages from Greater Hollis, and supports the Schellenberg-Twitchell-Jeynes Memorial Scholarships.

The HWC this year awarded $3,000 in scholarships to Emily Cook, Logan Pucci and an alternative scholarship that was awarded to a woman who is going back to college and is the sole support to her children.

For over 60 years, these two organizations have provided the strawberry and apple festivals to the community. They would not be a success without the public’s patronage and for our sponsors: Schwab Investments of Nashua, Hollis Construction, Landmark Dental, Toyota of Nashua, Brook­dale Farm, Lull Farm, Doc Davis Ice Cream, Harvest Mar­ket, Helfman, Laskey and Assoc., Hollis Veterinary Hos­pital, Hollis Chiropractic Center, Whole Foods, Udelsman Assoc., Gurney Auto Repair, Farm Design, Morin Land­scaping, and Timber Post Bed and Breakfast.

There are over 200 volunteers who put these festivals on: members of the HWC and their families; members of the HTB and their families; Sue Hay and her HB robotics team, The Force 1073; and other community members. We cannot mention them all by name, but want to thank each and every one for volunteering their time and talents. They sincerely have our heartfelt gratitude for their contributions and efforts.

Kimber Harmon

Strawberry Festival chair