Pine Mountain Settlement School was the setting for the annual community children’s fall celebration recently. It was a day for local children to gather and share friendship, games and food.

“I love this celebration,” said Judy Lewis, community coordinator for Pine Mountain Settlement School. “It’s a day that is set aside for children. We were supposed to have had a hay ride, but the weather did not cooperate today, so we are giving the kids a rain check on that. We’ve got treat bags and lots of food for everyone.”

Approximately 30 people crowded into the library area of the school where children played pin the nose on the pumpkin, find the pumpkin ball and other old traditional games.

“I brought my granddaughter today mostly for the hay ride,” said Helen Simpson from Mozelle. “It was canceled, but we’ll come back when they reschedule it. This is a good thing for the community. I am having so much fun today watching the kids play.”

Lewis said she always has good support from the community in all their programs. She said she has been at Pine Mountain Settlement School for the past 13 years, beginning in the kitchen and working up to community coordinator.

Lewis noted the community program had died down for a few years but since about 1990 it had steadily grown to what it is today.

“There is nothing like seeing the face of a child having good clean fun,” said Lewis. “I love playing with the kids, getting on their level. They love me because I am funny and act like a kid most of the time anyway.”

According to Lewis, the date for the rescheduling of the hay ride will be posted for the children to still come and enjoy.

Lewis said the school will be having a community potluck dinner and singing set for Nov. 20 and their nativity play on Dec. 13.

“We’d love to see more people come out and be a part of all our activities,” said Lewis.