Wesley Manor residents prepare for Fall Bazaar

The administration, staff and residents of Wesley Manor are bringing back a community favorite just in time to get Wiregrass citizens in the holiday spirit.

Mark your calendar for Friday, November 6, and make plans to attend Wesley Manor’s Fall Bazaar. Proceeds from this event will assist the Wesley Manor Auxiliary, a volunteer organization, furnish the facility’s gift shop. Those proceeds will also enable the auxiliary to purchase large-ticket items, such as televisions and Wii games, that will benefit the facility’s residents.

“We haven’t done a bazaar in a number of years,” said Vivian Readus, assistant administrator at Wesley Manor, as she helped eight residents who had gathered in the activity room with their crafts. “Terri Francis, chair of the auxiliary from First United Methodist Church, and I discussed the possibility of bringing it back. It’s a great idea. It’s a way to raise funds to buy some new things for the residents.

“Last year, without the bazaar, we bought Christmas trees for the residents to enjoy. We purchased and decorated 12 trees that were on display (in the common areas of Wesley Manor).”

This year’s bazaar will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and is open to the public.

The residents of Wesley Manor have been busily making items, such as angel trees and a variety of tree ornaments, that will be available for purchase. The angel trees, made from construction paper, will be available for a donation of $1. That donation will allow the donor to write the name of a family member or friend on it as a Christmas tribute.

“We will also have outside vendors here to go along with what the residents make,” Ms. Readus said. “The vendors make a donation for the tables, which helps fund the auxiliary. They can sell their items during the bazaar.”

Space is available for additional vendors. To inquire about space, contact Vivian Readus at 792-0921.

“This has been a lot of fun,” Ms. Readus said. “It’s fun doing all these things for the residents.

“I just hope we can bring the bazaar back and make it bigger and better than it used to be.”

Mavis Calhoun, who owned and operated the Dressmaker Shop, a fabric store in Rehobeth, for 33 years, enjoys the opportunity to create items for the bazaar.

“It’s definitely a fun thing to do,” said Mrs. Calhoun, who has lived in Wesley Manor for nearly two years. ““We’ve been working on these crafts for three weeks. It’s a wonderful op-portunity to gather with other residents.”

Despite some physical difficulties, Mrs. Calhoun works diligently to build the decorations that will be for sale.

“I have arthritis in my hands, and that makes it difficult at times (to make the crafts),” Mrs. Calhoun said. “But, it’s for a good cause.”