Pies as far as the eye could see

KENT — The fifth annual Night of a Thousand Pies was held on Saturday, Nov. 6, at St. Andrew’s parish hall, as a benefit for Kent Affordable Housing.

The local organization is undertaking the conversion of a circa-1828 former farmhouse on Maple Street into affordable apartments.

Affordable Housing President Virginia Suttman said the pie festival is a good way to kick off the holiday season.

“Not every town has an event like this,� Suttman said, adding that, “Everyone loves pies.�

Event co-organizer Betty Krasne reported that, “We had one cook who was walking down the street and bringing a pie here. Someone came up to him and purchased his pie before he could get here!

“People buy plenty of pies,� she said. “They leave here with a stack of boxes.

“This is the kind of event where everyone in the community can participate. Some cook the pies and donate them to us,  others buy them. People always like pie.â€�

Volunteer Gwen Price theorized that, “People don’t know how to bake pies anymore, and that’s why this event is so popular. It’s tough to make a homemade pie crust.

“People miss eating homemade pies and that’s part of the reason why these pies sell out so quickly,� she added. “This fundraiser is hard work, but it helps Kent Affordable Housing a lot.�

As for the Maple Street building project, Suttman said plans are still being developed.

“No physical work has started on the building,� Suttman said.