Holiday bazaar ignites creativity, dedication and friendship for seniors and community
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Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - 3:16pm
Joyce C. Budrow Senior Center staff and patrons recently hosted their annual holiday bazaar. The center was filled with several tables displaying handmade knitted items, handmade crafts and ceramics, baked goods, raffle-themed baskets, Granny’s Attic (a White Elephant table), music, food, fun, laughter and good company.
“The center has been hosting this bazaar since the 1970s,” stated Judy Amarone, director at the senior center. “It is a community event in which the seniors have the opportunity to display and sell their beautifully handmade and homemade items. All proceeds go directly to the senior center and this is our only fundraiser.”
“I’m really proud of my staff and the seniors for all their hard work, commitment, and dedication in making this event very successful,” she added.
Amarone further explained that North Haven’s seniors take pride in their work and the bazaar is a team effort with a lot of love that is evident in the finished products. Department of Public Works employees were helpful in setting up tables and moving furniture around, and seniors displayed and priced all the items, and staffed the tables.
In the past, the bazaar was held only on a Saturday, but for 2010 it was decided to have the exposition on a Friday afternoon as well. Attendance was good both days, according to Amarone.
“The bazaar is a wonderful event and we are enjoying it in our newly renovated senior center. As I look around at all the tables, I see that a lot of time, love, effort, dedication, and creativity were put into all the beautiful items,” said Claudia Giulietti, chairman of the Commission on Aging. “I love to volunteer and work with the seniors. They are a special group of people.”
Those who attended were greeted by a smiling Sue Jung, program coordinator at the center. Next, attendees had opportunity to go from table to table and purchase ceramic and handmade items, buy a Christmas or birthday gift at Granny’s Attic, take a chance on beautifully-donated theme baskets at the raffle table, listen to Christmas songs playing in the background, enjoy a delicious hotdog or fried dough with refreshments, purchase homemade desserts or converse with new and old friends.
Granny’s Attic was a popular destination. “The table for Granny’s Attic is made possible by donations from the North Haven Congregational Church, our seniors, and other generous donors,” explained Marcia Maresca, a senior and volunteer. “My fellow seniors and volunteers including Carolyn Keehan, Marie Notaro, and me enjoy working at this table. It’s a great way to buy nice gifts at very reasonable prices.”
Granny’s Attic consisted of Christmas items, knick-knacks, jewelry, books, wreaths, candles, dolls, mirrors and other belongings. Several additional tables offered knitted and crocheted items such as blankets, vests, pillows, pillow cases, scarves, slipper socks, mittens, baby items and clothing and pot holders.
“All of these items are a result from our knitting and crocheting group that meets on Wednesday afternoons,” stated Fran Bartlett, a senior and member of the group. “Eleanor Kovach is in charge and we get together, bring new ideas, socialize, and make beautiful things from yarn and patterns,”
“I enjoy knitting and being a part of the group because it gives me a chance to socialize with friends and the knitting is good exercise for my hands and mind,” she added. “We welcome new members to join us and bring their ideas and suggestions.”
Local officials attended. “I think it’s great for the seniors to keep busy while doing beautiful work. They have a lot of talent,” said State Representative elect David Yaccarino. “This reminds me of when my mother knitted blankets and scarves.”
At one end of the room was the ceramics table manned by a lovely group of women including Florence Hagan, the coordinator and instructor of the ceramics class. Hagan and fellow class-members enjoy making ceramic pieces ranging from angels, animals, people, holiday ornaments and items upon request. All finished products are creative, colorful and tastefully done with a mark of craftsmanship.
“The class meets twice a week and we work very hard on all our projects. The demand for what we do is unpredictable and is constantly changing,” explained Hagan. “We like variety and we put love and talent into all what we do, and we have a great time as well.”
Before leaving, many visitors stopped at the baked goods table, where they could choose among an assortment of homemade desserts including cakes, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, homemade jellies and jams, and a special treat called hot pepper jelly made by Sue Jung.
A party favorite, hot pepper jelly is used on crackers for an appetizer, Jung added.
The holiday bazaar was a wonderful event that gave seniors opportunity to display and sell their items produced from personal craftsmanship, creativity, dedication, talent and love. It was a fun-filled and worthwhile gathering — a nice way to get people ready for the holiday season.
“This event is another fine example of the community coming together and giving our seniors a chance to raise money for the center and to display their wonderful handmade and donated items,” stated First Selectman Michael Freda. “Our seniors are a special group of men and women who have built our community and continue to remain active and to make productive contributions in the present and the future.”
