Article & Images Submitted by Monique Ferguson, Author
Forward by Melody Land, CAC Coordinator
Forward by Melody Land, CAC Coordinator
Connecting Albert County sponsored Monique to experience Christmas in the Country for the first time. During the Saturday of the event, she documented some of her experiences on our Instagram pages as well as taking time to visit with the community. We wanted an opportunity to view our community through the eyes of someone who hadn't experienced it in this way before. Monique has been a contributing writer for CAC for the past year and we are grateful for her perspective. As we suspected, and as you will read, she was blown away by the experience.
Many of us who attend Christmas in the Country, and the variety of events and activities that happen in this great County, are in the thick of it. We organize, utilize, and live init everyday. It's easy, especially during the holidays, to take for granted what we have available to us on our doorstep. Whether it is incredible artisans crafting the most amazing giftware, artists capturing their world view in paint, sculpture, andwood, or local bakers whose work would rival the offerings of Michelin level restaurants, we can forget the magic that Monique has captured and put into words.
I was speaking with one of the original organizers of Christmas in the Country as I was on my own expedition on Saturday and Sunday. We were both amazed that it has grown into such a sizeable journey! This is where Connecting Albert County underestimated the amount of time it would take to cover the event! Unfortunately, Monique simply ran out of time before doors were shutting and the night fell on day one of this special weekend. We look forward to starting Monique's experience in Alma next year, as there is so much to offer there and on the 915, where you can find things like superb local cooking, local wines, incredible artwork, including painting and pottery, sea salt and seasonings, and a wide range of crafts, decor, and goodies.
Connecting Albert County is incredibly pleased with this partnership and excited to see where it will go in the year to come, as we take more opportunities for "a first look" experience of this region and the people in it. As Monique so eloquently states, the magic of Albert County comes from its natural wonder, most definitely - but the real magic comes from the community we choose to build together.
In the coming year, if you have an experience or event that you would like Connecting Albert County to cover, please reach out and let us know. We're happy to work with you to provide unique coverage and viewpoints, with access to a variety of writing styles to best suit your needs.
I was speaking with one of the original organizers of Christmas in the Country as I was on my own expedition on Saturday and Sunday. We were both amazed that it has grown into such a sizeable journey! This is where Connecting Albert County underestimated the amount of time it would take to cover the event! Unfortunately, Monique simply ran out of time before doors were shutting and the night fell on day one of this special weekend. We look forward to starting Monique's experience in Alma next year, as there is so much to offer there and on the 915, where you can find things like superb local cooking, local wines, incredible artwork, including painting and pottery, sea salt and seasonings, and a wide range of crafts, decor, and goodies.
Connecting Albert County is incredibly pleased with this partnership and excited to see where it will go in the year to come, as we take more opportunities for "a first look" experience of this region and the people in it. As Monique so eloquently states, the magic of Albert County comes from its natural wonder, most definitely - but the real magic comes from the community we choose to build together.
In the coming year, if you have an experience or event that you would like Connecting Albert County to cover, please reach out and let us know. We're happy to work with you to provide unique coverage and viewpoints, with access to a variety of writing styles to best suit your needs.
I must have rewritten this article a dozen times. At first, I wanted it to be all about the vendors, and in many ways, it still is. Without them, this event simply wouldn’t exist. But every time I tried to focus strictly on the products, on the displays, on the things we bought… something felt incomplete.
Because what made Christmas in the Country special wasn’t just the talent (though the talent is unbelievable), it was the feeling.
Because what made Christmas in the Country special wasn’t just the talent (though the talent is unbelievable), it was the feeling.
Our first stop was Farmer Brown’s, where we grabbed some baked goods my husband absolutely could not resist. Then came the spicy BBQ sauces from Scott Milburn of Scott’s Kitchen’s Gourmet Sauces. We had the best conversation with him about how the recipe he once hated eventually became his favorite. All it needed was time. (FYI, I’m already planning meals around it.)
We also met the woodworkers from Grumpy Paws and spent time admiring their creations; the kind of intricate woodwork that makes you stop and whisper, “How is this even possible?” Albert County showed up with heart. And yes, even their business cards are made out of wood, which is just… incredibly cool.
We also met the woodworkers from Grumpy Paws and spent time admiring their creations; the kind of intricate woodwork that makes you stop and whisper, “How is this even possible?” Albert County showed up with heart. And yes, even their business cards are made out of wood, which is just… incredibly cool.
I’ve lived in Lower Coverdale, Albert County, for almost twenty years now. I grew up in a tiny French community, but this is where I found home. A real one. This is where I felt safe for the first time in my life. It’s where I married my husband, where we’re raising our two kids. When I was asked to cover this event, I felt truly lucky. It was my first time attending Christmas in the Country, but it won’t be my last.
Aside from writing books, my other passion is bringing people together. I genuinely believe we’re stronger as a community than we ever are alone. And yesterday, that message was everywhere.
I heard different languages being spoken, but somehow, we all understood each other perfectly. Everywhere I stopped people talked to me like we were old friends. Conversations happened in line, at booths, over steaming cups of something warm. In a world where most of us live behind screens, yesterday didn’t feel like that at all. Yesterday felt human.
And yes, it was minus fifteen. But honestly? You wouldn’t know. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was chatting. Everyone looked lit up, in their own way. Like Christmas lights flickering on for the first time.
Aside from writing books, my other passion is bringing people together. I genuinely believe we’re stronger as a community than we ever are alone. And yesterday, that message was everywhere.
I heard different languages being spoken, but somehow, we all understood each other perfectly. Everywhere I stopped people talked to me like we were old friends. Conversations happened in line, at booths, over steaming cups of something warm. In a world where most of us live behind screens, yesterday didn’t feel like that at all. Yesterday felt human.
And yes, it was minus fifteen. But honestly? You wouldn’t know. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was chatting. Everyone looked lit up, in their own way. Like Christmas lights flickering on for the first time.
I wandered from vendor to vendor, and every single person had a story, like the baker who told me about being allergic to eggs, but not duck eggs, and how that shaped her entire craft.
We live in a world of convenience. I could’ve bought every Christmas gift on Amazon with a few taps. It probably would have been cheaper. But what you don’t get online is the conversation. The passion in someone’s eyes when they talk about their craft. The pride in their voice. The story behind every object you hold in your hands.
There’s something almost sacred about supporting local.
At the Old Church Market, I watched an older gentleman showing his handmade wooden pens to customers. I couldn’t stop thinking about his hands, how many hours they’ve spent shaping something so simple into something so beautiful.
Then there was Judy at the Albert County Clay Company, with the woodfire crackling and that warm, home-like smell. Judy walked me through her clay process, and I swear I learned more in five minutes than I expected to learn all day.
We live in a world of convenience. I could’ve bought every Christmas gift on Amazon with a few taps. It probably would have been cheaper. But what you don’t get online is the conversation. The passion in someone’s eyes when they talk about their craft. The pride in their voice. The story behind every object you hold in your hands.
There’s something almost sacred about supporting local.
At the Old Church Market, I watched an older gentleman showing his handmade wooden pens to customers. I couldn’t stop thinking about his hands, how many hours they’ve spent shaping something so simple into something so beautiful.
Then there was Judy at the Albert County Clay Company, with the woodfire crackling and that warm, home-like smell. Judy walked me through her clay process, and I swear I learned more in five minutes than I expected to learn all day.
One of our busiest stops was Briggs Maples, which was absolutely packed, but honestly, the crowd didn’t bother me. David and his elves (yes, actual elves) brought us to the back where he handed me a cup of OMG Root Beer Maple Pop to try. Delicious. He also offered frozen syrup on sticks, the kind that makes you feel like a kid again. That little hit of sugar, especially so late in the day, was both needed and ridiculously welcome.
We also stopped at Pottery Buff on Main Street in Hillsborough, where I fell a little bit in love with the prettiest handmade mugs and clay pieces. My favorite was a clay mug with tiny paw prints on the handle that was honestly too cute for words.
From there, we visited the Craft Fair at the Legion, where once again we found ourselves caught up in great conversation and mulled wine. Yum!
We also stopped at Pottery Buff on Main Street in Hillsborough, where I fell a little bit in love with the prettiest handmade mugs and clay pieces. My favorite was a clay mug with tiny paw prints on the handle that was honestly too cute for words.
From there, we visited the Craft Fair at the Legion, where once again we found ourselves caught up in great conversation and mulled wine. Yum!
We ended at the Old Church Farmers’ Market on Main Street, where I picked up these wonderful little simmer packets of dried oranges, cranberries, cinnamon, anise. The pure scent of winter and Christmas in one pot. Spoiler: it works even better than it sounds.
And for once, it wasn’t about rushing to finish a checklist. It was about the journey. The drive between stops. The moments where something looked so picturesque, we had to pull over just to take it in. We weren’t the only ones who stopped to snap a photo.
Yesterday, I saw Albert County with new eyes. I realized how lucky we are to live somewhere with this much talent, warmth, and quiet magic. My only regret is not being able to experience it all in one day - the stories and incredible items coming from Alma, Route 915, and Riverside-Albert were ones I had planned to take part of, but daylight hours expired before I had the chance.
And for once, it wasn’t about rushing to finish a checklist. It was about the journey. The drive between stops. The moments where something looked so picturesque, we had to pull over just to take it in. We weren’t the only ones who stopped to snap a photo.
Yesterday, I saw Albert County with new eyes. I realized how lucky we are to live somewhere with this much talent, warmth, and quiet magic. My only regret is not being able to experience it all in one day - the stories and incredible items coming from Alma, Route 915, and Riverside-Albert were ones I had planned to take part of, but daylight hours expired before I had the chance.
As Christmas approaches, and Coldplay’s “Christmas Lights” plays softly in the back of my mind, I keep thinking about one thing:
How else can I support my community, not just at Christmas, but all year long?
If there’s one wish I have this holiday season, it’s that we carry this feeling with us.
The connection.
The gratitude.
The light.
Because yesterday reminded me that community doesn’t just happen.
We choose it.
How else can I support my community, not just at Christmas, but all year long?
If there’s one wish I have this holiday season, it’s that we carry this feeling with us.
The connection.
The gratitude.
The light.
Because yesterday reminded me that community doesn’t just happen.
We choose it.
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