St. Regis bazaar fills Community Center with unique holiday gifts
A kitten named Arlo, snuggles in a Santa stocking during a bazaar in St. Regis. Arlo belongs to 4-H member, Penny Foley.
St. Regis 4-H members had a table of goodies at the Christmas bazaar at the Community Center in St. Regis on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Jill Pestana featured her beaded Santa and other dolls during the Christmas bazaar in St. Regis last weekend. She said she’s beaded over a million beads over the past five years. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent)
The annual Christmas Bazaar was held at the Community Center in St. Regis on Dec. 10. Coordinators Kathy Koepke and Ilene Wolff said they had more vendors than they’ve had in the past, with 32 tables filled with crafts, food, and collectables.
The ladies were also selling raffle tickets. Money raised will be used to help fund the St. Regis School scholarship. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year to any student who has graduated from St. Regis School, regardless of when they graduated.
“It can go to a senior in high school, or to an adult who wants to return to school,” Wolff explained.
Missoula artist Karen Bergman had a table full of colorful paintings, and Zen rocks painted with dots and swirls. Her sister, who lives in Tarkio, was just a table away selling her own crafts. The local 4-H group had a table of yummy cinnamon rolls and other cookies and treats. There was even a kitten hiding in a Santa stocking named Arlo, who belonged to member Penny Foley. However, Arlo was not for sale, he was there just for show and moral support.
Ruby Meeter, from Superior, said she’s been attending the bazaar for 13 years and this is the most vendors she’s ever seen. There were mixed reviews on how busy the day was, depending on the vendor. Some said it was slow, others said the day seemed busy. Doors opened at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and the area was hit was a lot of snow in the morning. By afternoon, the snow had subsided and people started to come through the doors more steadily.
Rocky Mountain Jewelry Owner Tina Bontrager also had a display among the rows of tables. She started milling her own jewelry a year ago and developed a talent for creating her own style of lovely rings, earrings and necklaces.
Near the door was collection of six inch tall beaded Santas, and other beaded dolls. Along with beaded insects, and two piles of beaded bracelets. Jill Pestana said she’s used a million beads over the past five years creating her collection. She started when she was recovering from surgery and had little else to do, “I even beaded the Kiss Rock Band members.”