By Forrest Newton
WINNEMUCCA - Tables were set up from one end of the Senior Center to the other full of art, food and friendly people during the Senior Center Craft Fair & Bake Sale Oct. 29.
The annual event drew shoppers and vendors from all over the area bringing their wares of drywall pictures to homemade pies. It was all there for purchase at Winnemucca's first preholiday sale of the year.
Nancy Farrell of Golconda recently moved here from Boise, Idaho, and brought her imagination and crafting talents in building birdhouses to Winnemucca with some very unusual, but practical places for our feathered friends to live.
"I think people are wanting to get back to the craft stuff," she said.
Some people are able to see art anywhere and everywhere they go and Ann Standridge of Paradise Valley just happens to be one of them.
"I can't throw anything away, so I find a use for them," she said.
While most people have either forgotten the art of baking from scratch or have never learned it, Linda Cummings continues the tradition. She is keeping the art alive through her catering service and bringing samples to bake sales. In three days she made over 50 pies plus her cakes and candies for the fair.
"Everything is from scratch," she said. "I'm very organized."
Senior Center Director Patricia Tindall said that there were 20 vendor tables set up as well as eight Senior Crafters tables. She noted that the fair was the major fundraiser for the Senior Crafters who use the money they make to purchase things for the Senior Center.
"They make a good amount of money I guess, but they give it all to the Senior Center," she said. "So I think that's really nice."
Tindall gave all the credit to the Senior Crafters and staff for putting on of the fair.
"My senior ladies do it all. The craft ladies put it all together. They sell the tables. They keep the records. They set it all up," she said. "The kitchen staff does the cooking for the soup and the lunch. So I really don't have to do anything. They are Senior Craft Fair professionals!"
There was something for everyone there from the purchaser to gifts for those special people in your life.
"The vendors are great! I think people have fun too," Tindall said.
President of the group, Joy Darre, said that it looked like they had taken in a record amount this year.
"It was wonderful!" she said.
Vendors and shoppers intermingled to provide a lighthearted fun time of shopping. Shoppers were able to hear from the enthusiastic artists of what it took to make the items in front of them, where they got the ideas, how long it took to put things together, what kind of materials they used and marvel at the abilities of the human race to accomplish such art and artistry.
If you missed the Craft Fair there are still a couple of opportunities to get some handmade items. Ethel Hornbarger has once again made doll clothes for an American Doll size doll and the center is raffling them off as a group, including a doll to wear them.
But you only have a chance of getting them by taking a chance and buying some raffle tickets. It's $1 for one ticket or you can get six tickets for $5 at the Senior Center. The drawing will be held Dec. 15.
Also the Senior Center Craft Room is open for business throughout the year and there is still a good selection of handmade items available for Christmas.
Darre wanted to thank everyone for their participation in the Craft Fair this year and is already looking forward to another one next year.
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