A few of the pies entered in Everence Federal Credit Union's first annual pie contest.

Pinecraft, the Mennonite community located along Bahia Vista Street, has long been famous for its pies. So it comes as no surprise that Everence Federal Credit Union, which just opened on the corner of Bahia Vista Street and Kaufman Avenue, would include a pie contest as part of its grand-opening festivities—it’s a great way to build community spirit. The contest took place last Friday morning, in Everence’s parking lot, and drew a large crowd of both hopeful bakers and eager pie tasters.

Judges Ken Hartzler, Ivan Miller, Sherry Gore and Amanda Yoder had their work cut out for them.

Judges Amanda Yoder (founder of Yoder’s Restaurant), Ivan Miller (manager of Troyer’s Dutch Heritage), Sherry Gore (author of the A Taste of Pinecraft cookbook) and Ken Hartzler (Everence CEO) had their work cut out for them, bravely sampling each of the 21 pies that were entered in the fruit, cream and one-crust categories, but they rose to the occasion, naming Kay Schlabach, Clara Miller, Ruth Yoder, Sue Mullett and Ruth Overholt (pictured in the last photo, above) among the first-, second- and third-place winners in each category, respectively.

A hopeful -- and hungry -- crowd awaits the judges' final decision.

Afterward, everyone in attendance enjoyed a chili lunch and bites of all those homemade pies. Here’s looking forward to next year!

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