Day yields edible architecture

CANTON — It may be a bit early to start decorating houses for the holidays — unless, of course, they're made of gingerbread.

That was the idea Saturday morning when more than two dozen people gathered for a gingerbread-house workshop sponsored annually by Traditional Arts in Upstate New York.

"We've been coming every year," said Marlene M. Parcell, Canton, who was joined by son Joshua C. Parker, 11, and other family members. "Once we put our gingerbread house out, we know Christmas is coming."

Their sweet creation included a skating rink made with a blue Fruit Roll-Up and an outdoor fire complete with pretzel sticks for logs.

Participants of all ages learned some decorating tips before embarking on their projects in the basement of Canton United Methodist Church, 41 Court St.

First, they gathered supplies from a long table filled with colorful choices including gumdrops, licorice, marshmallows, Tootsie Rolls, M&Ms, candy canes and sprinkles.

They squeezed sweet icing from pastry tubes to adhere the gingerbread walls to their structures. Pretzel sticks, cereal pieces, wafer cookies and candy were used to make a variety of roof shingles.

Sugar cones draped in green frosting doubled as evergreen trees, while marshmallows were transformed into snowmen.

Gaetan B.K. Foisy, 11, Potsdam, said he wanted to make his creation look like a home that was filled with fun, so he included an outdoor igloo, made with sugar cubes, and a skating rink.

His father, Joel S., used Tootsie Rolls to make an outdoor woodpile. They were joined by Mr. Foisy's wife, Gretchen P. Koehler, and the couple's younger son, Sylvain J.K. Foisy, 7.

"It's just a nice thing we can do together as a family," Ms. Koehler said. "The trick is getting it home and not eating it."

Marylee E. Ballou, Norwood, is an experienced gingerbread-house maker who came to the event to practice her skills. She's getting ready to create a project for TAUNY's annual Sugar & Spice Gingerbread Contest and Exhibit.

She wouldn't reveal what she'll be making for the contest, which is accepting entries until noon Dec. 2. The exhibit runs Dec. 5 to 22 at TAUNY, 53 Main St.

"One year, I made a house of cards. I thought it was so original, but someone else did the same thing," Ms. Ballou said. "All I'm going to say is that it will be a historical place in St. Lawrence County."

Varick A. Chittenden, TAUNY's Heritage Center project director, said the workshop provides a chance to participate in an old holiday tradition. It also helps stir interest in the gingerbread contest.

"It's a real test of creativity," Mr. Chittenden said as he viewed the houses in progress. "It's a terrific opportunity for families to work together, to share something."

Elena M. Pignone, Potsdam, brought her son, Phineas H., 5, to the workshop.

"He's been asking all year to make a gingerbread house," Ms. Pignone said. "He said he was getting a belly ache from eating too much of the candy, so now he's munching on the pretzels."

Participants were assisted by Susan J. Wilder, a gingerbread enthusiast who travels from Stormville, Dutchess County, each year to offer tips and display photographs of her creations.

"I love doing this. I see new ideas all the time," Ms. Wilder said.