Snowmen in August? August is still in its infancy and the lazy, hazy days of summer are still very much upon us, not many are looking forward to the fall as of yet. But one group of intrepid volunteers are already looking far into the future. November seems to be a very long ways off but it really isn’t! The months are quickly slipping away and our Annual Christmas Bazaar will be upon us before we know it.
Our bazaar is a long time tradition here in Somerville and always attracts a large turn-out. But behind this success are so many wonderful volunteers and one such group is affectionately called “The Basket Ladies.” Debbie Andrade, Lori Lynch, Jean Struzenski work all year long collecting a variety of items that they then take and creatively turn into a marvelous assortment of baskets. It is amazing how they can think up a theme and find just the right items to fit and complement it! When August rolls around, they descend on the Pavilion Party room, roll up their sleeves and go to work! A gingerbread tray, a ceramic gingerbread house, a cookie mix perhaps a mug or two and some matching napkins undergo quite a transformation at their hands!
By early to mid October the daylong parade begins. Their cleverly crafted creations emerge from their storage places and line our breezeway from one end of the hallway to the other, over seventy baskets in all! Our Penny Auction is ready to go! Tickets go on sale as soon as the baskets are in place and sales are brisk in the weeks leading up to the actual day. When the day of the Bazaar arrives, the breezeway is a bee hive of activity as people casually study the baskets deciding where to drop their tickets. The baskets are so well done and there are so many marvelous choices sometimes it’s hard to make a choice which one is your favorite! Some of the most popular baskets are the Chocolate Basket, the Ice Cream Basket, the assortment of gift cards and last but not least, the Mystery Box! Over the years these wonderful ladies have raised thousands of dollars for our home with their efforts. Indeed, we are blessed by their ability to take their creativity and generosity and create this basket bonanza! We are grateful to have them as part of our family here at Jeanne Jugan Residence!
