Roscoe UMC Holiday bazaar kicks off Christmas season
Many volunteers help make the annual Roscoe United Methodist Church bazaar a success each year. Pictured here are Brenda Davis, Barb Stagmyer, and Jane Kreidler who worked the checkout station at this year’s bazaar.
COSHOCTON – Roscoe United Methodist Church is hosting the first holiday bazaar of the season today with plenty of fun and festive items to choose from. Soft Christmas music plays in the background while shoppers look for the perfect Christmas decoration or Christmas gift, and there are plenty of handmade items to choose from.
“We have such a nice variety of crafts,” said Bee Lehner. “We have the used books, trash to treasure section, and lunch beginning at 10:30 a.m. We try to make it festive, very homey, and very cozy. I think the red tablecloths put everyone in a jolly mood.”
There is also an Amish auction featuring a quilt from the Canal Quilters, a Christmas table runner and centerpiece, and a needlework piece. Bob Boyd creates a Buckeye table every year, which is very popular.
“The volunteers are always so willing not only to work this day, but provide help before,” said Lehner. “Set up and tear down, they’re always there.”
Jan Rice and Janet Doughty are in charge of the kitchen which features pulled pork, shredded chicken sandwiches, noodles, chili, vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup, potato salad, pasta salad, Jell-O salad, and desserts for lunch. People can also purchase soup by the quart. Beth Nelson also ran a breakfast boutique with coffee, tea, and pastries.
“People can come in and visit with their friends and have coffee, tea, and pastries,” said Lehner. “It’s only a donation.”
The bazaar also features a trash to treasure section in the gymnasium.
“We used to charge for that and someone said, why do we charge for this if it’s all donated to us anyway?” said Lehner. “The next year, we asked for donation only and we made more money that year than the year before.”
The bazaar takes a lot of behind the scenes work each year, but the ladies of the church make it a time of fun and fellowship. Two days before the bazaar, they get together at the church and make candied buckeyes and the week before, they put together the annual church cookbook with recipes from not only current members of the church, but members who have passed away.
“We just have such a good time,” said Lehner. “We stand around and share stories, and one topic leads to another. It’s girl talk.”
The bazaar is always a success with people coming from all over the community to support the church and get in the holiday spirit.
“I try to hit all the senses,” said Lehner. “I have lit candles, so you smell them as you walk in, you hear Christmas music playing, you get to see your friends, taste the food, and touch all the different items. I’m tired at the end of the day, but it’s a good tired because I enjoy it so much.”
Category: Faith
