St. Ann’s School hosted its annual Fall Craft Festival last weekend.
By: Linda Field
The colorful falling leaves last weekend signaled both a changing of seasons in Lawrence and the approach of the annual flurry of holiday gift buying.
St. Ann’s School kicked off the unofficial time of spending with its annual Fall Craft Festival, which was held last Saturday to the delight of local shoppers.
More than 30 crafters filled the auditorium, including some offering unusual wares, from Beanie Babies to umbrellas.
The bake sale, as usual, stopped shoppers on their way into or out of the hall, offering cakes, cookies and treats of all kinds.
Norma Zissett served as chairwoman of the bake sale for the third year. By late afternoon, brisk sales reduced the baked goods to fit onto one table, which groaned under the weight of unsold cakes, muffins and breads.
According to Maggie Grey, chairwoman of the entire event, turnout was about the same as last year, with members of the Church of St. Ann’s, as well as people from the community, coming out to ensure the success of the craft sale. Funds raised from the sale will go to the St. Ann’s School PTA.
Alison Williams and Lisa Espisito are co-presidents of the PTA. The money raised from last year’s sale was combined with other fund-raising efforts to install a new raised stage in the auditorium.
According to the co-presidents, this year’s funds will be used toward playground improvement, which is a two-year effort. Part of the money also may be used to provide professional development for teachers, a preschool Spanish program, outside educational speakers for assemblies, computer software and general instructional programs.
Many of the shoppers at the Fall Craft Festival were busy searching for that perfect gift for that certain someone, or an unusual holiday ornament sure to impress guests. Others were looking to quickly purchase gifts for their children, while the kids were off running some errand. Still others attended to get ideas for things they might try their hands at creating on their own.
Regardless of the reason, a steady stream of shoppers entered St. Ann’s School on a usually quiet Saturday, and everybody seemed to find something.
Some shoppers stopped near the door because one vendor offered Beanie Babies of all colors, sizes and styles. Michael Marino and Christian Costello managed to steer their moms over to that table first thing after lunch.
"The Beanies are the favorites of the children," said Margaret Marino. "They came to look at the Beanies. I came to look at what the crafters were offering this year. I came to support the school. That’s the main thing."
"I came to look at the holiday crafts," said Maureen Costello. "We haven’t gotten too far yet. My son spotted the Beanie Babies. So far I got a tiger for my son. He goes to school here. I mostly came to look for the crafts for decorations."
Still others are experienced at snooping through craft shows and yard sales to find just the right thing. Through their patience and experienced eyes, these shoppers usually find just what they didn’t realize they were looking for.
"I’m just looking," said Patti Schwing. "I like that Raggedy Ann. I do like to go to yard sales and find different things. You can find really unique gifts at sales like this."
"I’m getting some hand-crafted gifts for the family for the holidays," said Agnes McFadden. "My kids go to school here. The sale offers good, unique stuff."
"I love the baked goods," said Valerie Jean-Bart. "I got a cake and some gifts. My daughter goes to school here. The show offers a lot of things you don’t see in stores quality things, some very unique things."
After a long day at one of the first craft sales of the season, even as the baked goods were reduced to half price and the clean-up crew began to arrive, shoppers said they already were thinking ahead to the next sale. If they missed the opportunity to purchase that perfect gift, they could only hope that same crafter will be at the sale coming up at Lawrence High School next month.

