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Saturday, June 11, 2016

Berlin Church’s Thrift Shop Marking 50th Anniversary Year


BERLIN – A familiar Berlin shop marks half a century of charitable service in the historic town this year.

The Church Mouse, the thrift shop operated by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Main Street, celebrated its 50th anniversary May 26.

“We’re hoping to go on for the next 50 years,” said Helen Wiley, the shop’s coordinator.

The Church Mouse has been a Berlin institution since it was launched in the mid-1960s. Wiley says the shop got off the ground through the leadership of Violet Mathews, better known as Miss Vi, and her daughter, Ruth Neville. Annabelle Hastings was the other key force behind the Church Mouse.

“Those three ladies planted the seed,” said Wiley, who herself has been giving her time to the Church Mouse for nearly a decade. “We like to say we’re the water to continue the outreach to the community.”

The shop was originally located in space at the Atlantic Hotel before being relocated to a warehouse near Cheers.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary! And thanks for all of your hard work and commitment.