Dave Ogilvie
Ever-popular
theme baskets
back once again
For as many years as most of us can remember, the “penny table” has been a recognized part of church fundraising and other social events.
Although the name is somewhat obscure, most people would agree that at some point in history, you probably could bid on various items for a mere penny or two.
These days, however, with inflation and cost of supplying prizes for the penny table, most groups are selling a sheet of tickets for $5 or even $10 for some special fundraising events.
Last Christmas, Cindy Judson and her committee from Knox United Church in Emo wanted to do something special by taking the idea of a penny table to a brand new level.
Church and community members who became involved in the project caught the excitement and ended up creating some amazing “theme baskets.”
These new baskets became so popular that the committee repeated the idea during last year’s “Spring Fever Days” celebration.
The church’s corner of the arena became a very busy area with visitors from across the district placing their bids on their favourite baskets.
The “theme baskets” are back for another season, but this year Knox United Church also will be offering something new and exciting.
This Saturday (Dec. 4) from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the church and hall will be transformed into an old-style “coffee house.”
“We want it to look and feel like an actual coffee house,” enthused Judson.
Everyone is invited to stop by “Café Knox” on Saturday for a warm homemade cinnamon bun and a hot beverage for only $3.
“Holly Daze” will be the public’s last chance to place their bids on this year’s theme baskets.
“The baskets, which are presently on display at Meyers Clothing, will be moved to the church on Friday, Dec. 3,” explained Judson.
A sheet of tickets, which contains 25, costs $5 each.
The baskets all are worth at least $50, with at least one basket worth substantially more than that.
“Café Knox” also will feature the wares of several local artisans. Tammi Foster, with her Earthworks Pottery, will have some of her unique and useful creations on display.
Brenda Ellis will have her scrapbooking supplies and tools for sale while “Haglin’s Hankering” invites visitors to choose from 40 varieties of home-made goodies and to build their own holiday trays.
Marie Major, representing “Latasia Jewellery and Lingerie,” also will have a wide range of products to peruse.
The final display will feature “Thread Shed” products. Judson’s embroidered gifts are perfect for those “hard-to-buy-for” friends and relatives.
She is ready and willing to personalize anything you purchase.
“Café Knox” promises to be a pleasant place to stop and relax, to warm up with a cinnamon bun and beverage, and an excellent place to pick up a present for that special someone in your life.
