Church Celebrates 10 Years of Craft Fairs on Nov 3
There are many happy cats and cooks in Florida thanks to nearly 600
catnip toys and more than 400 potholders that have been sold in the last
nine years at the Florida Presbyterian Church’s Annual Craft Fair.
Products for canines and the holiday table have sold well, too. What
began as a small undertaking to improve the church’s craft fair in 1998
has blossomed to become one of Florida’s biggest fundraisers netting
$12,736.83 last year.
A small, but devoted group of members and friends of the church
prepare for the yearly event with weekly sewing sessions beginning in
February. The original sewing group consisted of Diane Howell, Barbara
Knudsen and Beth Hartman Maas.
Each
had a sewing machine that had been collecting dust in the closet for
years. With only basic sewing skills, the group tackled easy projects
such as basket garters at first. As the years progressed, the level of
skill grew and friendships deepened. The time spent sewing at the church
never seemed to be enough, so the dreaded “homework†evolved. The
original three welcomed many other friends over the years with Dina
Kamrowski, Laura McLaughlin, and Pastor Heather Brown-Huston joining the
group two years ago. The speed at which Pastor Heather sews equals her
ability to deliver a wonderful service!. In addition to those working on
the sewing projects, crafters add their handiwork starting in the
summer. Dawn McKelvey plays a crucial role in organizing the evening
crafting sessions and creating many of the items for sale. The
challenges of hosting a craft fair year after year include gathering
enough volunteers, coming up with new ideas, and pricing the goods.
Usually thirty to sixty new items are introduced each year. Some of this
year’s offerings include painted snowmen sleds, fall appliqué wall
hangings, mantle covers, hand knitted scarves, and painted glass
ornaments. Over thirty raffle baskets are offered each year with Martin
Dellatto graciously acting as the master of ceremonies for a number of
years. A large variety of baskets packed with numerous goodies will be
available to win. Visitors to the craft fair will also find Santa from
10 AM to 1 PM. Tom Kelemen, Manny Guella, and Jaime Bricker have helped
Santa find his way from the North Pole to the church.
Welcoming
children to the event is an important component of the craft fair. A
special area in the sanctuary is set aside and staffed with helpers for
children to create a craft for $1 which can be wrapped for free. The
kids also enjoy the Parcel Post where they can pick out a wrapped
surprise gift for $1. In addition to the crafts, the church offers baked
goods that are remarkably packaged. You won’t find foil on any of the
goods the church sells! Utmost care is taken to present them in a way
that conveys the time and care given to bake them. Lenore Wood is
well-known for her beautifully decorated cupcakes. Those who attend the
craft fair year after year know to head to the bake table early as items
sell out quickly.
The luncheonette, headed by Diane Howell, is well-known for a variety
of items served, but homemade soups continue to be the signature of the
quaint eating area. Unusual soups such as butternut squash soup with
proscuitto and fig cream as well as good old-fashioned chicken noodle
can be found among the many offerings. Most like to eat-in, savoring not
only the soup, but the Christmas table settings and music piped in from
ceiling speakers, but some stop by on a yearly basis to get take-out as
well. As the morning crowds increased year after year, the menu offering
was expanded to include breakfast. For many, the annual craft fair has
become the start of the holiday season. Proceeds from the craft fair
have allowed the church to complete a variety of capital projects such
as installing new carpeting, replacing the heating system and adding air
conditioning, and gutting and renovating the kitchen and fellowship
hall.
Last
year’s proceeds are earmarked to convert the carriage shed into a new
home for the Florida Food Pantry. Given the modest yearly budget, the
church could not have accomplished these much needed projects without
the devotion of those who give countless hours preparing for the yearly
event and for those who make it an annual outing. Great appreciation is
given to the community for supporting the craft fair which has allowed
the church to raise over $65,257 to fund these projects! And although
successful fundraising is exciting, the fellowship and friendships that
develop during the process keep the fair going year after year. To show
the church’s gratitude and to celebrate our tenth craft fair, patrons of
this year’s November 3 craft fair will be able to select a door prize
upon entering the fair until the prizes run out. The doors open at 9 AM.
Many, many thanks to all those who have helped continue this tradition
for ten years. It has been a blessed journey.