By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Vendors and shoppers turned out on Nov. 13 for the St. Mary’s annual craft fair that Molly Bailey, event chairman, said went “very, very well.” She added that about 150 people went up and down the aisles browsing and buying a variety of mostly handmade products from local crafters.
“They lined up early, about 8:40 a.m. And everybody had a great time,” said Bailey, who opened the doors to St. Anthony’s Hall before the scheduled 9 a.m. start time. Pointing to a couple of tables nearby she said: “You could hear the laughter coming from these tables right here. They had a ball and Father Dave (Raymond the pastor) is very proud.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks 
SOLD — Amelia Botting, 6, buys a change purse handmade in St. Mary’s sister parish in Peru. Anita Hubert, right, said every dollar earned here equals three going to the school there for the handicapped.
Bailey had little time to browse, however. She stayed busy in the kitchen making sure there were plenty of hot dogs, pizzas, beverages and other snacking foods for customers and vendors.
Jo Holmes and Deannie Long manned a table with hand-knit items. When asked if she ever stopped knitting, a smiling Holmes replied: “No.” Between the two women, they had socks, mittens, aprons, sweaters, baby booties and other apparel items. Long attributed any drop in the total number of craft fair visitors to the economy. But, she added, “they are shopping.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks 
HANDMADE — Jo Holms, left, said she never stops knitting. She and Deannie Long sold hand knit items at the St. Mary’s craft fair on Nov. 13.
Anita Hubert sold handmade items made in St. Mary’s sister parish, Lord of Hope, in Canto Grande, Peru. “They make things there at the handicapped school. Then, we sell them and send the money back to them. Every dollar here is equal to three in their money,” said Hubert. Amelia Botting of Houlton purchased a change purse for $1 and may have gone back to buy more.
Tammy Tompkins sold several of her handmade round Christmas wreaths as well as a few of her candy cane shaped wreaths. Peter Foster-Kinney bought two wreaths he said were going on doors at his house in Houlton. He remarked that they were very full and “not skimpy on the decorations.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks 
COUNCIL WOMEN — Lois Downing, left, and Alfreda Albert, sold homemade food at the table for the Houlton Council of Catholic Women. Downing said “jellies, whoopie pies, chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, breads and pretty much everything was popular.”
Margaret Casey, well known for her culinary skills and the Thanksgiving open house at the church, displayed some of her other talents. Although her expertly hand knit hats, scarves, sweaters and other clothing items were on display, some items were gone in the blink of an eye. Her fame had preceded her. “My cinnamon rolls were gone before they got out of the oven,” she said.
Ronnie Trecartin, a Houlton resident, was a big winner. His name was the lucky draw for the money wreath. “I’m surprised. I’ve never won anything,” said Trecartin about the wreath that fetched him $51 in folded $1 bills.” Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks 
TUNE TIME — Molly Bailey listens as Jane Stile holds up a musical Christmas sculpture. Bailey said eager shoppers were lined up at least 20 minutes prior to opening, so she let them in.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks 
DECK THE HALLS — Tammy Tompkins hands Peter Foster-Kinney two wreaths at the recent St. Mary’s craft fair. He said: “They’re the fullest ones I’ve seen and they’re beautiful.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks 
THE WINNER IS — Ronnie Trecartin was all smiles when he found out he had won the money wreath with $51 in folded bills. Presenting the wreath is Jane Mitchell.
