Oyster Bay re-created a small town atmosphere as the First Presbyterian Church, Christ Church and Doubleday Babcock Senior Center joined forces to create a great holiday shopping event on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18. They kicked off the holiday season with fellowship, friendship and festive shopping at their three East Main Street locations.

Gail Speranza, Doubleday Babcock Senior Center executive director said, "I call it a tri-partnership. I think it was a wonderful event that benefits all of us so our community can see what we are doing - providing wonderful services to the community."

The Rev. Jeffrey Prey of the First Presbyterian Church said, "It brings a lot of people into town and it helps us. With three places to go it evens out the crowd, so that instead of being overwhelmed with people all at one time, there is a nice steady blend of people rotating to the different venues. The weather was nice so it was easy to get from place to place."

As part of the offerings at First Presbyterian there was an exhibit of art from children in Croatia. Last June, the Rev. Jeff Prey, his wife, the artist Barbara Ernst Prey, and their children, Austin and Emily, went on a mission trip to Croatia to work at a camp for at-risk children with Down syndrome and other related illnesses. They brought over suitcases filled with art supplies and special watercolor paper so the children would have the experience of using professional supplies.

The Rev. Prey said, "We sold eight of the paintings so they made over $500. It was fantastic. Those who bought the paintings did so for specific reasons. Some were relatives or parents and even a niece of someone with Down syndrome and wanted to help out.

"It was great to talk to them and connect with them in a special way. There are just two paintings left," he added.

The day had lots to offer everyone. Grace Gowe and Pat Horan, who both work at the Oyster Bay High School were happy shopping. "We work locally and shop locally," said Ms. Horan, an East Norwich resident. "We're starting our Christmas shopping early," said Ms. Gowe.

Jack Hutchinson enjoyed the three events and said he bought three books at the First Presbyterian Church.

Liz Roosevelt was selling her photographs of Oyster Bay at the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center. Georgia Sabo Gier and Kerry Warner were there selling jewelry from their boutique Chickadees.

Georgia's mother Rosalie Sabo used to call them her "Little Chickadees" when she took them out as kids. "We got the name when we were 6 years old," they agreed. The name stuck when the friends went into business together. They create unique handmade jewelry. "We do custom work and can take your old beads and re-string them or make a new piece out of your old jewelry," said Kerry. "Your grandmother's necklace can be re-created," said Georgia.

Rosalie Sabo died 10 years ago of breast cancer. Since then, the two girls have participated in a cancer walk benefiting the Susan G. Komen Cancer Fund. They and a team of two others have earned about $4,000 for the cause.

Everyone was having a great time at the Christ Church Rummage Sale - Anglican attic treasures and basement-finds event. Besides selling great rummage items they had their CD In Time of Softest Snow and large canvas bags for sale. Both are great items and worth giving as gifts.

Father Peter Casparian of Christ Church said of the weekend events, "We've been working together more and more - the three ministries on East Main Street - and whenever we do something together it reinforces our mutual ministries and the friendship among us all. Besides the energy and enthusiasm over the weekend, we made money in our church for Habitat for Humanity on the Gulf Coast. We made close to $4,000 this time on the sale and hopefully in the next year we will participate in a habitat project, again, on the Gulf Coast.

"It will allow us to be able to go down and make a substantial financial contribution to help build up the community down there. There is still a lot to do after Katrina. It will be years before they will be back to normal."

So there is a ripple effect to all the events of the weekend of Nov. 18 and 19 that are greater than could be envisioned.