At 38th Food Booth
The temperature hovered around 90 degrees, but All Souls’ Food Booth volunteers just toted more ice for the 38th annual Village Art & Craft Fair Aug. 7-8 on the church grounds. Crowds were big, sales were brisk and spirits were high.
Chairman Jeanne Cagle said the First Ladies’ cookies made by parishioners were a first-time feature that attracted “wonderful publicity” and good sales. Old favorites like meatloaf sandwiches, brownies and pound cakes were snapped up. Fairgoer Donna Miller said, “The sandwich was the best ham and cheese I ever tasted.”
Noted watercolor artist Tookie Hornbuckle of Florida and Mt. Mitchell said of the variety and quality of arts and crafts vendors, “This is the best show of its kind in the South.” Founder John Cram said this year’s fair was “beautiful in every way.”
Kim Miller and Millie Elmore, helped by Lynn Ordnung, Gwin Jones and Dick Hoyle, saw that the sandwich-making tables ran smoothly in the parish hall. Robbin Whittington, Kay Clark, Charles Van Harkness and Steve VanAllen were among the “runners” who kept the sales tables supplied.
David Chestnut and Jack Ingersoll, tellers, supplied sellers with change. Also keeping track of the money were Judie Mauney, Evelyn Posey and Kate Spooner. Todd Donatelli posted signs for safety and general information. Tom Whittington snapped pictures throughout.
Among those doing heavy-duty lifting and carrying of ice and bottled drinks were Dan Stevenson, Eric Ordnung and Frank Quick.
Those selling on the porches of the parish hall and the church included David Jordan, Brian Cole, Sherry Norman, Betty Zeluff, Blair Hatt, Frank Crawford, Blair Clark, Robin and Barbara Boylan, Susan Wilson, Lewis Sorrells, Carolyn and Cody Macfie, and Robert and Danielle Mitchener.
Doug McDowell, Alex and Ashley Melton, Perry Brown and Eli Colson manned the popcorn and drink concession on the breezeway. Maria, Bea, and Oliver Perez, and Allen Worth sold snow cones on the basketball court.
The hot dog station, set up by Skip Henderson as always, was also manned by Steve Summers, Tom Crook and daughter Carol, Macon Clark and Ryan Miller (master of many talents). First-year volunteer Bob Knapp helped with hot dogs and various other tasks over the weekend.
Prue and Mason Wilson, Carol Anders, Art Swanson and others conducted tours of the cathedral nave for the 200-plus visitors who came each day.
Julie and David Fortney had the kitchen well organized with the help of Diane Summey, Jean Scribner and others. Many washed and sliced vegetables, some cleaning lettuce leaf by leaf (Nancy Plante and Sandra Schindler). Meat slicer George Hayes used a skillful hand.
Sandwich makers included Kerstin McDaniel, Don and Martha Neblett, Margaret McKeel, Becky Donatelli, Nancy Reid, and John and Margie Johnson.
Betty Darr made name tags and sold tee shirts for volunteers. Tommy and Dawn Cagle, father-daughter team, were troubleshooters throughout the fairgrounds with help from Susan Stevenson and Katie Miller.
Suzzy Sams and Susie Stokes organized the packaging and labeling of the tens of dozens of cookies, brownies and other baked goods. Elizabeth Douglas and sons, John Kelly and Charles, Barbara Turner, Sheila Ingersoll, Eleanor Miller, Laura Coffey, Ellen Anastos and many others did this job on Friday afternoon.
Tom Posey, with all his years of experience, was there sharing his wisdom on Sunday afternoon.
(Names may have been inadvertently omitted in this report, but the effort of all workers was noted and appreciated. –Jeanne and Dawn Cagle and Nancy Marlowe)