Woman’s Club Craft Show Winners Announced

By Nancy K. Crevier

The festive decorations and flowers at the Newtown Woman’s Club General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) 40th Anniversary celebration at Stony Hill Inn in Bethel on Thursday, March 20, were not all that had the 80 members and their guests abuzz. Entries for the club’s annual local craft show filled tables that lined two walls of the room, brightening the atmosphere with anticipation of the Best in Show announcement to come and the thrill of showing off the handicrafts to friends and dignitaries alike.

Fortieth Anniversary guest speakers Congressman Chris Murphy, State Senator John McKinney, First Selectman Joe Borst, and Representative DebraLee Hovey took time after their arrival at the special event to admire the collection of photography, painting, needlework, and other crafts, a fun contest for group members who spend a great deal of their time fundraising for local and state charities. Connecticut GFWC President Jeanne Waseleski and District I Director Eileen Brunner praised the handiwork of the local crafters. Winners in each division will go on to be judged at the district level, April 2, held once again at the Stony Hill Inn.

Following remarks from the guest speakers and a delicious luncheon served by the staff at Stony Hill Inn, craft show co-chairperson Marion Thompson announced Best in Show. Winners were Evelyn Spera for her oil painting of a young girl and Peg Forbell for a detailed cross-stitch of a cardinal perched on a dogwood branch.

Other winners in Thursday’s craft show were Marion Thompson, etched glass and scherenschnitte, in the Heritage Crafts Division; Costume Jewelry, Betty Warner; Decorative Painting, Flo Caron for Theorem painting; Other Techniques, 1st place, Pat Hubert, 2nd place, Marilyn Alexander. Creative Material, 1st place, Margaret S. Forbell, 2nd place, Shirley Ferris, 3rd place, Betty Warner; Flowers, Ducky Loewenstine; Christmas Decorations, 1st place, Betty Warner, 2nd place, Margaret S. Forbell, 3rd place, Joyce Webster; Wall Hanging, Margaret S. Forbell; Decorations other than Christmas, Valentine Wreath, Marilyn Alexander.

Also, Needlework, counted cross stitch, Margaret S. Forbell; Canvas Needlepoint, small, Margaret S. Forbell, large, Joyce Webster; Cut Work, Betty Warner; Crocheting, Betty Warner; Knitting, Adult Apparel, Ruth Campbell; Children’s Apparel, Betty Warner and Marion Thompson; Accessories, Betty Warner; small item, Marilyn Alexander, medium item, Betty Warner, large item, Marilyn Alexander; Stationary, Virginia Chiaramonte;

Additionally, Original Art, oil portrait, Evelyn Spera; Acrylics, 1st and 2nd place, Virginia Chiaramonte; Watercolor, 1st place, Lynn Randall Butler, 2nd place, Shirley Ferris; Mixed Media, Lynn Randall Butler; Photography, black and white, Coke Cramer; Photography, color, portrait, 1st place, Coke Cramer, 2nd place Diane Mellen, 3rd place, Shirley Ferris; Natural History, 1st place, Coke Cramer, 2nd place, Lynn Randall Butler; Scenic, 1st place, Diane Mellen, 2nd and 3rd place, Lynn Randall Butler; Feature, 1st place, Mary K. Antey, 2nd place, Lynn Randall Butler, 3rd place, Coke Cramer.

Co-chairpersons for the 2008 Newtown Woman’s Club craft show were Marion Thompson and Betty Warner.