Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Pastor Alan Brumbaugh, Brethren Beard winner Bill Baker, Dawn McCartney, VP of Marketing and Sales for The Village at Morrison's Cove and Fairview Treasurer Jane Ray at a check presentation following the 150th Anniversary Celebration for the Fairview Church of the Brethren. During the celebration, the church had a contest on Best Brethren Beard - the winner was Bill Baker. Throughout the contest, the church collected almost $8700 to donate to the Good Samaritan fund for The Village.
Bill Baker's beard at the end of the contest. Baker, the winner of the contest grew his beard out from late December of 2023 until the contest in July of this year.
Over 200 years ago in the Brethren Church, a man sported a beard to show that he was married.
Present day, men at the Fairview Church of the Brethren were sporting beards during the 150th Anniversary celebration in mid-July, vying for the honor of Best Beard.
During the second week of December last year, Pastor Alan Brumbaugh announced that there would be a beard contest during the church's anniversary celebration.
The votes would take place via collections jars, and the one collecting the most money would win the contest.
A few weeks before the celebration, pictures of the seven men popped up at church to kickstart the collection process.
Pastor Brumbaugh said that the committee for the anniversary celebration wanted to do a form of community outreach with the money collected from the beard contest.
"They were a great committee," Pastor Brumbaugh said of those who worked together on the anniversary celebration.
After a brainstorming session, the group decided on the Good Samaritan fund from The Village of Morrison's Cove.
That fund helps residents afford items such as haircuts and essentials such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. who have outlived their resources.
Seven men, one posthumously, competed in the contest: Dale Ray (posthumously), Aaron Frederick, Bill Baker, Larry Eade, Dave Sollenberger, Dave Frederick, and Dave Bishop.
"We had some fun with it," Pastor Brumbaugh said.
Bill Baker, the eventual winner, agreed.
"I had a great time with it. It was a great advertisement piece for when people would see me, and ask why I was growing out my beard, I could tell them about my church's anniversary celebration," he said.
Baker said his family and friends helped contribute to his win.
The committee set a goal for $1,000 to be raised; when the check was eventually presented to The Village at Morrison's Cove, the check was close to $8,700.
"The home was blown away," Pastor Brumbaugh said, proudly, "Many residents will be blessed."
Brumbaugh explained that the funds would be distributed evenly to the residents.
"We just want to thank all of those who contributed and those who helped and joined in to make our anniversary celebration a success," he said.
Brumbaugh says the church has some extra funds from the anniversary celebration, and he hopes the church can bless another community outreach program shortly.
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