Fifty-two children attended the Empire United Methodist Church’s (EUMC) third annual community Easter Egg Hunt at Lions Club Park Saturday.
The children were split into three age groups, and it only took six minutes for the two older age groups to gather up all their eggs. The younger children took a little longer.
EUMC partnered up with St. Philip Neri Church and ended up with around 2,660 eggs. Hot chocolate was available for the adults and kids.
Many folks and children thanked us for holding the hunt, according to the Rev. Melody Olin.
A steady flow of people entered fellowship hall beginning at noon Easter Sunday to enjoy ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole and cheesecake or orange sherbert for dessert.
About 80 people responded to the invitation to attend the firstever free Easter Ham dinner at EUMC; plus 20 take-out meals.
Donations of $356 and personal hygiene products were received to benefit the Empire Area Paper Pantry.
In other recent activities at EUMC, was a Chili Cook Off with March 23, which organizers said was “a perfect day for chili!”
Around 60 people gathered at the Empire Town Hall. The “2024 Cook Off Champion” title went to Tim Barr for his spicy white chili. Close behind were Steve and Jeanette Stepanek with their classic chili and all the fixings, and Jeff Mallory with his “a little spicy” white turkey chili.
Votes were placed by donating dollar bills — more than $700 of them — at preferred stations, benefi ting the Empire Area Food and Paper Pantries.
