Everything from soup to soap at Proscrastinator’s Craft Fair
By Mike Lange
Staff Writer
SANGERVILLE — Parking spaces were scarce near the Universalist Church in Sangerville for a while Saturday, but patrons of the 11th Annual Procrastinators Craft Fair didn’t seem to mind. “Once the temperature got above zero, they started coming in,” said event chair Theresa Boettner. “This gets bigger and better every year.”
Observer photo/Mike Lange
GARDEN FRESH — Diane Curran of Sangerville buys a bag of fresh greens from Eugene and Mary Margaret Ripley at the Procrastinator’s Craft Fair Saturday. The Ripleys have a farm on Merrill’s Mills Road in Dover-Foxcroft and extend their growing season for hardy vegetables by using greenhouses and “hoop houses.”
Vendors even set up tables in the middle aisle of the function hall this time, which made for a tight squeeze. But most of them seemed happy with the turnout and arrangements.
One unusual display — for this time of year, at least — was an assortment of fresh vegetables from Ripley Farm in Dover-Foxcroft. Mary Margaret Ripley said that they also sold their produce at the East Sangerville Grange fair last month.
“The mild weather helped extend the growing season a little, but we also keep a lot in our root cellar,” said Ripley. “But today, it’s nice to be indoors.”
Observer photo/Mike Lange
GIFT GOURDS — Jolene McPhetres is shown with her display of Christmas gifts at the Procrastinator’s Craft Fair including decorative gourds grown in her garden.
Other displays included jewelry makers, health and beauty aids, beeswax products, goat’s milk soap from Aisling Heights Farm in Carmel, hand-crafted bowls from Michael Kagan’s woodworking shop in Dover-Foxcroft and an assortment of decorated gourds and other gift ideas from Jolene McPhetres.
“This is just a hobby for me, but we have a pretty good-sized garden, so I have plenty of gourds I can decorate for the season,” said McPhetres.
Boettner said that in addition to the craft items, patrons also enjoy an assortment of homemade soups, sandwiches and baked goods.
“People are leaving here with a smile,” she said, “and that’s what it’s all about.”