Salem UCC Crafters Plan Bazaar

Photo by Rick Hiduk
Salem UCC members (from left) Janet Maguire, Virginia Deaner, Dorothy Brubaker, Marion, Stehman, Marty Sheetz, Sue Sahm, Arlene Holbein, and the Rev. Laverne DiNino invite the public to get a taste of the holidays during the Christmas at Salem Craft Bazaar, slated for Saturday, Nov. 7.

By Rick Hiduk

Salem United Church of Christ, 2312 Marietta Ave., Rohrerstown, will host the Christmas at Salem Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 24th annual event will feature holiday-themed crafts, Christmas ornaments, a used book sale, a silent auction, baked goods, and hot food.

Salem UCC crafters Virginia Deaner and Marty Sheetz are two of about a dozen women who meet regularly at the church to work on items for the fundraiser. Sheetz noted that there are additional church members who work at home and surprise the other crafters with what they have created for the bazaar. Regardless of where the offerings are completed, craft show organizers are proud of the fact that everything is handmade.

Featured items this year will include lighted arrangements, such as a wooden wheelbarrow, wreaths, American Girl-sized doll clothing, and dried floral arrangements.

Items that will go to the highest bidder in the silent auction will include a hand-quilted tree skirt, an embroidered dresser and pillow set, a handcrafted Santa with sleigh, and themed gift baskets.

A book fair will feature a variety of paperbacks and hardbound editions of fiction, nonfiction, biographies, histories, cookbooks, children's items and more.

For children, there will also be opportunities to select a number from the gift tree that corresponds to a matching item on the prize table.

The Salem Servers, a group of parishioners who manage the kitchen for many Salem UCC events, will bake fresh pumpkin and mincemeat pies the evening before the bazaar.

"They go fast," said Deaner of the fresh pies.

There will also be homemade beef vegetable soup, hot dogs, and barbecue available to eat in or take out. In addition to the pies, the baked goods table will feature all sorts of cakes, brownies, cookies, and candy.

Sheetz noted that proceeds from the Christmas at Salem Bazaar are distributed in a number of different ways. Profits from previous craft shows have benefited the Milagro House, local food banks, and home heating assistance programs, as well as gone toward the the purchase of uniforms and school supplies for homeless children in the School District of Lancaster. Proceeds have also been used to address the needs of the church.

Millersville Advertiser - 11/04/2009

Hempfield-Mountville Merchandiser - 11/04/2009

Manheim Township Merchandiser - 11/04/2009

To find out more about our Specialty Publications and their available online services, click on the publication's image link above to go to that publication's home page.