KENT—Hardly had the Kent Volunteer Fire Department’s firehouse been cleared of Saturday’s Quiz Night tables and apparatus than it began to hum with two other fundraisers sponsored by the KVFD.
After a summer-long break, Anne McAndrew and her intrepid crew of cooks and servers returned to the firehouse kitchen to whip up wholesome breakfasts of pancakes, eggs breakfast meats, juice and coffee for a steady stream of patrons.
The breakfasts are held monthly and have become welcome times for locals to gather and socialize over a meal.
This time, there was an added attraction as the fire department hosted the annual Art from the Heart sale in the garage bays where only hours before revelers had scratched their heads over mind-twisting clues during Quiz Night. Artisans and artists from near and far displayed creations ranging from cookies and jewelry, to artwork and sleigh bells.
The back-to-back uses of the firehouse meant the first responders had to move all their heavy trucks out of the bays and park them on the grass beside the bustling parking lot. John Russell, KVFD president, said the expensive vehicles were not left out overnight and were all brought back into the firehouse late in the evening following Quiz Night, only to be driven out and parked again early the next morning. They were probably back in the firehouse for all of eight hours overnight.
The firefighters placed the vehicles strategically, so the most important ones were readily accessible in case of a call. Indeed, one ambulance was pressed into service during the morning.
