
Contributing editor
Dean Cox was so worried that he wouldn't get his holiday pies that he arrived early.
Cox, a teacher and former wrestling coach at Rising Sun High School, turned out to support the annual Pie Sale at Hopewell United Methodist Church last Wednesday, November 26. He was at the church 10 minutes before the sale officially started.

Cox wasn't the only shopper preparing for Thanksgiving.
James Cook bought both pecan and apple pies. "I'm too busy to bake. They are helping me," said Cook.
Gerry Perry was buying a pumpkin pie - against doctor's orders.
"I'm diabetic. I'm not supposed to eat it. I'm taking it to my daughter's," said Perry.
Perry's daughter, Brenda Shipley, was buying a multi-fruit pie.
"I got the peach/red raspberry. I'm buying it for my husband. I can't make one of these but I've done everything else for Thanksgiving," said Shipley.
Marsha Brothers was enthusiastic about her selections.
"I don't bake and I don't have time to bake. I'd rather come here and spend my money. These ladies put a lot into this," said Brothers.
Church members baked more than 80 pies in the church kitchen. They were at the church two nights last week staying until 11 p.m. to put the final touches on their creations, An additional 40 were baked at homes and contributed by congregation members.
"It's mostly all pies. We have a few dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls," said Pat Tyson, one of the Hopewell volunteers.
There was quite an assortment of pies including pumpkin, apple, apple crumb, blueberry, cherry, coconut, coconut cream, pecan, peach/red raspberry/streusel, sweet potato, and chocolates.
Joanne Watkins served as Hopewell's baking coordinator.
"It's a lot of love, You have to have the passion to bake. For the women at this church, it comes from the heart," said Watkins.
Orders were taken in advance. Amtrak employees reserved about two dozen of the pies by pre-order.
The pie sale is popular and well attended. Church members will host another event December 20 at 10 a.m. with the annual cookie sale. There will be at least 20 varieties of cookies. All cost $6 per pound.
Church volunteers said that the cookie sale is so popular that those wishing to buy are issued numbers and let into the buying area a half dozen at a time.
That policy was instituted after there was a verbal altercation between two customers at a past sale.