Six volunteers shape pretzels in the First United Methodist Church’s commercial kitchen for the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival slideshow. (Provided photo — Margot Gold)

To the editor:

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival slideshow event began at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, the final event of the memorable “Creepy Carnival.” This year, the celebration included free soft pretzels and cocoa made by over a dozen volunteers earlier in the day at the First United Methodist Church’s very well-equipped commercial kitchen. The facility was graciously made available by Marlene Martin who, knowing that the pretzels and hot cocoa were being prepared for a Carnival event and that they would be provided free of charge, waived the regular fee for using this top-notch facility. We are very appreciative.

And thanks to the volunteer pretzel makers and bakers who formed separate baking groups in the morning and afternoon to make a total of 236 soft pretzels for the event. Each volunteer, in addition to their dedication and can-do attitude, brought good humor and warmth to the labor-intensive pretzel-making process. Volunteers included: Sue Abbott Jones, Mary Abendroth, Joy Cranker, Summer Cranker, Siobhan Crary, Kathy Daggett, Ruth Izraeli, Linda Jackson, Alison King, Darlene Ploof, Karen Russell, Darlene Ploof and Phyllis Sinclair.

Earlier in the week, Ruth Pino reviewed the pretzel recipe and offered tips on how to make the process run smoothly and efficiently. Thank you, Ruth.

And late in the day of the event, Jordanna Mallach came to the church with two 5-gallon thermoses and she prepared the cocoa that helped warm the crowd on that very chilly night in Riverside Park.

When everything was completed, Jim Connolly showed up to help transport the pretzels and cocoa to the park and he also helped set up and take down the tent.

Lastly, with pretzels remaining after the slide show, Jim Abendroth volunteered to distribute them the next day to the Saranac Lake Youth Center and other locations.

It was a great slide show and celebration. Our work in the kitchen was a very enjoyable part of the day.

We are very thankful for all the generous assistance and the spirit in which it was provided.

Margot Gold and Steve Erman

Saranac Lake