Annual Harvest Bazaar At Senior Center

By Nancy K. Crevier

The list of crafts is as long as your arm, and it will be a wonder if there truly is not something for everyone at the Newtown Senior Center Annual Harvest Bazaar Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21. The bazaar runs from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on Friday and from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday at the center, at 14 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook.

Members and staff of the senior center have been creating items since late summer for the fair under the tutelage of craft instructor Rita Steiner and director Marilyn Place.

“We will have holiday items from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas and everything in-between,” said Ms Place. “All of the items are quality and well made. “I tell them, ‘If you wouldn’t buy it, don’t make it.’ We try to make everything very nice.” The bazaar crafts are also reasonably priced, said Ms Place, ranging from $1 to $10, with handmade quilts priced individually.

The two-day sale will feature quilted purses and pillows, wall hangings, hand painted glass ornaments and wooden Santa and snowman ornaments, felted napkin rings, knitted afghans, children’s caps and slippers, handmade jewelry, and painted tote bags. The crafters have also been busy making garden stepping stones, decoupage glass plates, fabric bulletin boards, holiday table runners, door ornaments, wine bottle covers, vests, and accordion books for photos or journaling. For the little ones, reusable felt holiday characters serve as cover-ups for Tootsie Pops.

For bargain hunters, a white elephant table will be set up, filled with special treasures. The bazaar will also feature a bake sale and refreshments will be available.

All of the money earned at the Harvest Bazaar supports Newtown Senior Center purchases, such as tables, chairs, and furnishings for the new addition. In previous years, the Harvest Bazaar has run for only one day, but has brought in nearly $1,000. With a new piano on the center’s wish list, Ms Place is hoping to at least double that amount this year.