The Stettler Public Library was bustling with the sounds of delighted young voices as the future architects of the community took part in a Gingerbread House Building day, hosted by the library.
The event, which required pre-registration, was in fact so popular that the library had to turn away about six kids who wanted to register at the last minute.
For the lucky 14 kids who registered well ahead of the event, though, the day was full of fun.
Darlene Philpot, the activities coordinator with the library, said she and pages were busy the night before “gluing” the gingerbread houses together with icing so they’d be well and sturdily assembled for the kids taking part in the activity the next day. The decorating of the houses would be left to the little architects, as Philpot called them, though she noted that if the houses hadn’t required setup at least a day before, she would have let the kids enjoy that part, too.
“Oh, it’s wonderful seeing them have so much fun,” she said, taking a brief break from helping the architects learn to use a little extra water to help spread icing.
A bright blue tarp covered the library floor under the work tables, there to catch run-away candy and dripping icing, but not much made it onto the floor – not with eager children ready to smear and stick it all to the flat gingerbread surfaces of their little houses.
Some children used the icing and candy for more than decoration, sneaking covert mouthfuls of the sweet treats when they thought no one was looking.
Just hours before the event began on Monday, Dec. 22, the library’s gingerbread team suffered a setback when one of the houses, precariously situated at the edge of a cliff (otherwise known as a table), took a tumble into the abyss (also known as the floor). The destroyed house had to be replaced, but fortunately staff were able to get another one setup before the architects arrived.
This was the first gingerbread house building event for the library, but given its success, Philpot said she expects it will return next year.