St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church held a successful tricky tray event Feb. 19 in the church hall, 3024 S. Ruch St., Stiles.

Joe Paul, church stalwart and journeyman custodian, occupied the role of greeter at the hall entry point. Paul noted he was impressed by the large turnout.

Co-directors Krissy Spanitz and Donna Yellen were pleased with the steady stream of patrons attending the well-stocked basket raffle.

Tricky tray events were popular during the 1950 and ’60s. Back then, they were called Chinese auctions. Today, the names tricky tray, penny social or basket social are used more commonly.

About 300 baskets were provided for the raffle. The baskets needed to have a value of at least $25 to be entered into the tricky tray. Numerous baskets contained gift cards, some of which were as high in value as $100.

The smell of homemade food coming from the kitchen permeated the hall and lured many patrons. On the menu were turkey and hamburger barbecue, sausage with peppers, turkey in a cup, turkey with filling platters, homemade chicken soup, hot dogs with sauerkraut or chili sauce, cabbage and noodles, bread filling, pierogies, halupkies and baked goods.

Lorraine Randolph, one of the event volunteers, noted this was the 16th year for the church’s tricky tray raffle.

“I made and brought the halupkies, and they sold out within four hours,” she said, pleased that her food donation was so popular among patrons.

Stacey Raysley, of Coplay, said she enjoyed her time at the tricky tray.

“The food is great, and the baskets are beautiful,” she said.

Volunteers were of all ages.

Nicole Yellen, a member of the successful Northampton Area High School girls basketball team, staffed the raffle ticket table. Yellen is already eyeing up her post-high school opportunities, possibly at DeSales University or with an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

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