REGION — With Halloween over, thoughts have turned to Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays to be celebrated before the year ends.

For many, that means the start of craft fairs. Craft fairs provide a means for local crafters to showcase and sell their merchandise. They are opportunities for visitors to obtain gifts for family members and friends, add flair to their holiday decorations or celebrations, or perhaps get ideas for crafts they can try themselves.

While some craft fairs were held locally in October or earlier, the majority are scheduled in November and December. That was the case Saturday, Nov. 4, with events held at University of Maine in Farmington, North Jay Grange Hall and Livermore Community Center.

In North Jay Saturday afternoon tables were laden with Christmas decorations and handcrafted items suitable for gifts, such as mittens and quilts. The Grange also offered gently used clothing, books and puzzles for sale along with a variety of baked goods.

Brenda Deojay said she is a member of the Grange, lives in Fayette. Now that her children are grown, she has more time to give to Grange events, she noted.

“North Jay Grange started in 1878, it was originally a store,” she told Jeff Farrington of Jay. “People bought their grain, their supplies here. It was geared towards agriculture.”

Farrington said his grandparents were Eben and Iva Farrington of Jay who were active in Wilson Grange in East Wilton.

“I remember my mom and dad,” Marilyn Morse, another North Jay Grange member noted. “My mom would gather the eggs, bring them in and swap them for groceries.”

Farrington’s wife, Maureen Farrington was busy walking up and down between the many tables. She held a stack of puzzles and other things in her arms. “I am picking up some things to pass the long winter,” she said. “I am so glad they have this.”

Morse said another craft and bake sale would be held at the North Jay Grange Hall Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the Brettuns Community Center on Route 108 in Livermore tables along one wall were lined with crockpots filled with various soups people could choose from for their lunch. Cookies, fudge, whoopie pies, brownies and pies made dessert a sometimes tough decision for some.

“There is nothing better than a whoopie pie,” Diane Taylor-Moore of Livermore exclaimed.

Denise Boothby and her daughters Adney and Ruth of Livermore were seen at a table covered with brightly colored stones and necklace bands. Ruth spent time trying to make a decision on the color combination she liked best.

Sophia Brown of Livermore was busy helping her grandmother, another crafter at the fair.

Tammy LaCroix of Fairfield was the creator of the jewelry choices. She said she learned about the fair from her mom, Cheryl-ann Buck [CJ] Jerry of Jay who was at the fair with her.

American Legion George Bunten Post 10 at 17 Reynolds Ave. in Livermore Falls will be holding a craft fair 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Jerry, who is an auxiliary member of the post, noted. Auxiliary members will hold a bake sale and sell refreshments, according to a photo on the Post’s Facebook page.

“It’s been busy,” Pat Litalien, treasurer of Livermore Community Building Association, said.

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