Greetings on this (finally) sunny Sunday! Today we take a look back at Friday's "Holiday Happenings" event - presented by the Swain Association, and a wonderful example of the Swain community working and coming together.

Holiday Happenings was also a great example of reaching out to the larger world, with the Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale, that supports artisans around the globe through its fair trade efforts. Shoppers of all ages enjoyed perusing the wide selection of hand-crafted  decor, jewelry, accessories, toys and home goods. Each item includes information about its artisan, where they live, and how the opportunity to partner with Ten Thousand Villages has positively affected them.

"It was cool to see a picture of the person who made the scarf I'm giving my mother."
                                                                                             - Swain lower school student

"I like knowing that my purchase is helping another family."
                                                                                                             - Swain grandparent

Although Holiday Happenings was a new way to kick off the holidays, we continued a long standing tradition. The 8th grade class, dressed in formal wear donated by C.E. Roth, served a delicious luncheon to the faculty, administration and 8th grade parents and special guests. It's an event our 8th graders look forward to, and they enjoy the opportunity to serve their families and teachers, even 'fighting' over who gets to serve them!

That evening, an adults-only "Sip, Sample and Shop" event was held, with oppor-tunities to sip adult beverages, sample tasty hors d'oeuvres, and shop the Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale. Approximately 100 members of the Swain community attended.

"This kind of event - and also the Auction - is one of the reasons we keep coming back to Swain. It gives us a chance to visit with the parents of our children's friends, and brings our classes closer together. That's an important thing!"
                                                               - Swain parent of current and alumni students


In the beautifully decorated Community Room and Rogers' Commons, it was a festive way to kick off the holiday season. Many thanks to the dozens of volunteers who dedicated themselves to present this wonderful event!

Click on any photo to take you to more images from the day.