St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Stiles held its 20th annual tricky tray event as a fun gathering on Valentine’s Day.

A steady stream of patrons attended the well-stocked basket raffle Feb. 14 in the social hall at the church, 3024 S. Ruch St.

Maryann Seagreaves, a founder of the event in 2006, and Diane Fritts sold special raffle tickets to attendees. Donna Yellen and daughter Nicole, of Northampton, cheerfully greeted attendees and sold tickets for the gathering.

The inviting aroma of food emanated from the kitchen and permeated the hall. This surely stimulated an urge among many attendees to take a break and eat there or to order food to take home. The kitchen team was busy serving a variety of menu items to hungry patrons.

On the menu were turkey and hamburger barbecue, sausage sandwiches with peppers, turkey in a cup, homemade chicken soup, hot dogs with kraut or chili, cabbage and noodles, bread filling and a wide array of homemade baked goods and more.

Sharon Palmer and Denise Rogers, both from Whitehall, were busy taking food orders. Both were ever smiling and happy to serve attendees seeking to purchase food.

Donna Petrosky, of Catasauqua, and Mary Lou Sodl, of Whitehall, staffed the large table full of homemade baked goods.

Michelle Molchany, of Whitehall and a longtime volunteer for St. John’s, was playing the role of utility person as she filled in wherever necessary.

About 225 baskets were provided for the basket raffle, with 19 additional special raffles. The baskets held a value of at least $25. Numerous baskets had gift cards, some of which were as high as a $100. There was a large adult beverage selection of baskets for the attendees 21 years and older.

David Morekin and wife Helen, of Cementen, browsed the baskets. Michele Kern, of Whitehall, spotted a basket that caught her attention, prompting her to check how many tickets were placed in the bid cup. The smaller amount of tickets in the cup, the greater the chance to win the basket.

No one is exactly sure when or where tricky trays got their start. Tricky trays became popular during the 1950s and ’60s. Back then, they were called Chinese auctions. Today, the names tricky tray, penny social or basket social are used more commonly. Penny socials are so called because, in the past, each ticket cost only a penny.

A spirit of good feelings and friendship among all present was evident as the St. John’s tricky tray allowed people to get out, mingle in a positive social setting partake in good food and spread some Valentine’s Day love.