The historic Lefroy United Church continues to play a key role in its community – maintaining the Grange Hall as a community meeting space, and organizing events that bring the community together, like the annual Christmas Bazaar.
The bazaar, held Saturday, included a penny table, bake table and lunch room downstairs in the church, and an artisans and vendors’ fair in the neighbouring Grange Hall.
Vendors included young artist Maddison Chapelle, who has been painting “ever since I was little,” and woodworker Bill Moffat, of Bill’s Boards, who has only been creating his wooden serving trays and cutting boards for the past two weeks.
“I’m still getting the hang of it,” said Moffat, explaining that it all started when “the neighbour cut down a cherry tree, and I saw the value in the wood.”
He seasoned the wood in his garage, and when it was dry enough “to start tinkering,” began crafting his boards, creating a warm finish with a mixture of beeswax and food-grade oil.
Vendors also included groups like the Anonymous Angels - local knitters, sewers and crafters who use their skills to raise funds for charity. All of the money raised through the sale of their quilts, matts, knitted hats and sweaters is used to send local children, whose families could otherwise not afford the experience, to summer camp.
Pottery, knitting, quilting, jewellery, even traditional Cornish Pasties were among the items available, as crafters and local volunteers came together for the annual community event.
