A canned food drive during the Thanksgiving-weekend Country Christmas Faire, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, netted 1,000 cans of food.

With the help of HOPE (Help Other People Eat) in Nevada County, the food drive also collected cash donations, which will be used at the organization's December food distribution.

HOPE in Nevada County is a program established through the Grass Valley Elks, who partner with the Food Bank of Nevada County to feed those in need. HOPE distributes food once a month to anyone in the county in need of food and emergency food every Monday.

Gingerbread house winners

Another tasty side of the Christmas Faire was the gingerbread house competition, which drew 67 entries.

First place winners in the individual categories include Jillian Beaver (child 5 & under); Ellie Andrews (child – ages 6-8); Ellie Robinson (child – ages 9-12); Evelyn Grandfield (kits – ages 8 & under); Toria Kinney (teen – ages 13-17); Kathryn Hammond (adult – 18 -64); Mary Abbott (adult – 65 & over); Ian Woodgrift (Special Needs); Hennessy Tiger Cubs After School Program (group – children 12 & under); Nick & Christina Walden (group – teen 13-17); Nora Devlin (group – family); The Perilman Family and Crew (group – adult 18 & over); and Bonnie Anderson (professional/business).