Thompson Falls Senior Center hosts biannual craft fair

THOMPSON FALLS - The Thompson Falls Senior Center hosted its biannual craft fair recently at its location on Mount Silcox Road below the high school. It included both representatives from the Senior Center, for whom the fair is a fundraiser, and crafters and vendors from around the area who were selling a variety of original creations and other articles.

Visitors were treated to the opportunity to enter a free raffle for a door prize and the chance to bid in a silent auction on baskets and goods donated by the seniors. ‘“This is how we make our money,” said Nancy Gressang. She explained that the members of the senior center belonged to a non-profit and must hold a fundraiser to raise money to maintain the center.

Gressang went on to say, “We do breakfast and lunch... So they (public) come in and we do pancakes and waffles, ham and eggs, and we usually do chili and chili dogs.” She also said the seniors host raffles and charge a small fee for the vendors to have a table.

As anyone with a bit of spare pocket change walked around the center, they had their choice of purchasing tatting work, handmade wooden toys, clothing, or home appliances from the various vendors.

Cheyla Irvine, a member of Girl Scout Troop #3563, who had a booth, said, “I’m selling Girl Scout Tickets for a lounge blanket, so you can watch TV.” In addition, Irvine was selling decorative hand-towels for the kitchen. The raffle money and towel sales earned were going to help the center pay for repairs on the center’s front door. By mid-afternoon, Irvine had sold over 20 tickets, which went for $2.00 apiece, or $10.00 for six tickets.

Usuals at the senior craft fairs and other bazaars in the area, Albert Jr. and Tifny Creekmore, had a booth set up. Albert Creekmore was working on a banner for their business that, when finished, would have over 100,000 beads in it.

A friend of the Creekmores, Jane McFadgen, along with her husband Ben McFadgen, had a booth right next to them. Jane, who was working on a tatted piece, said, “It’s more of a love than it is to make money.” She added, “And if people want tatting, they know who to come to.”

As Jane McFadgen worked on the small tatting piece, her husband worked on a small chain mail necklace, which is his specialty. Both make small jewelry and keepsakes out of their chosen media.

The day saw both groups earning money. The seniors raised money for their program and the crafters were allowed to keep the money they raised from their sales.