St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Stiles, despite foul weather in the forecast, held a successful tricky tray event Feb. 13 at the church hall at Chestnut and South Ruch streets.

Masks were required to enter, and church stalwart Joe Paul took patrons’ temperatures as they entered the building. Hand sanitizer and masks for those who forgot their own were available.

Nearly 300 baskets were provided for the raffle. The baskets needed to have a value of at least $25 for the basket to be entered into the tricky tray. Numerous baskets had gift cards included.

Michelle Molchany, one of the numerous coordinators, noted this was the 15th year of the St. John’s tricky tray raffle.

Attendees also had the opportunity to order food prepared by volunteers in the church hall kitchen.

Molchany reported menus were larger in earlier years, but this year’s menu was shortened due to the pandemic. Food was available for takeout only.

On the menu were turkey and hamburger barbecue, filling, hot dogs with sauerkraut or chili, cabbage and noodles, pierogies, baked goods and more.

“All the baked goods for sale are homemade,” Molchany noted.

A palpable spirit of good feeling was evident among attendees as the tricky tray allowed people to get out, mingle in a social setting, have some fun and feel a sense of normalcy.