Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140015
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That's the motto some residents of The Park Oak Grove Retirement Community have chosen for their Hand-to-Hand Benefit Bazaar on Sept. 23.
The name symbolizes "handmade" items, and "Helping Hands," they said.
"Many of our residents recall the fun they had years ago preparing crafts for sale at church or school fall festival," said Pat Hales, activities director at Park Oak Grove. "We decided since they could not get out and attend bazaars, we would have one right here and invite the community to come to us."
Many of the hands preparing items for sale have been busy nearly 90 years. The cashier, 95-year-old Mae Ould, taught math and science at Stonewall Jackson Junior High School for 50 years. (You may have known her as Miss Brindle.) She has been a resident at the Park Oak Grove since she turned 91. Relying on experience from many previous bazaars, she warned the planning committee: "have plenty of change on hand, because somebody will come with a $20 bill right at the beginning of the sale!"
Nadine Swisher, 92, put her hands to work knitting dish cloths much too beautiful to wash a dish, elegant padded coat hangers and ceramic necklaces that could hold their own next to those in the most exclusive boutique.
Guff Weaver, "the birthday girl," will turn 94 on the day of the bazaar. She has made beads and helped paint ceramics, but teddy bears are her favorite. "I name each one," she said, "and by the time I finish, I feel they have life in them!"
Margaret Sears had second thoughts about publishing her age in the newspaper, but she has created elegant gold Christmas ornaments. Few could afford to purchase them if they were priced according to the time they require. However, all items are reasonably priced and will provide the lucky buyers with unique gifts and decorations of professional quality.
The oldest participant in this project is Kate Lemon at 100. When told she doesn't look 100, she responded, "Well, you can just put me down as 98, then!"
Her contributions include plant hangers, whirligigs and beads. She is also the champion bear stuffer, having stuffed 150 teddy bears.
Vanetta Stockton, marketing director, said she hopes the bazaar will involve children, young people and families in the community, as well as families of residents.
There will be something for all age groups, including face painting, free balloons, hot dogs, popcorn and drinks, games and prizes, she said. "We will also have booths selling house plants, Christmas decorations and handmade gifts, crafts, books and magazines, baked goods and white elephants."
Plans have been made to ask high school students to help with games for children. David Newman, the only male on the planning committee, is collecting magazines and books for sale. He plans to donate those not sold to the American Association of University Women for its annual sale. The Salvation Army will receive other leftovers.
But what happens to the money these efforts produce?
"Many of our residents are grateful they were able to remain in their own homes longer because of the Meals-on-Wheels program," Stockton said. "They decided to earmark part of the proceeds for that organization. The Turning Point [the Salvation Army's home for abused women and their children] was selected to receive the other half of the profit from the sale."
The Park Oak Grove Retirement Community is at 4920 Woodmar Drive S.W. The Sept. 23 bazaar will be from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
by CNB