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Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Holiday extravaganza comes to Marlboro
By MARK REYNOLDS
[email protected]
F
or six years the agri-tourism organization Meet Me
in Marlborough has sponsored a Buy Local Holiday
Extravaganza and Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market.
Last Saturday the event opened with a walk/run
Turkey Trot with the proceeds going to save the modified
baseball and softball programs.
Organizer Sheila Mannese invited an extensive selection of vendors to the Marlboro Elementary School who
sold jewelry, soaps, knitted items, glassworks, custom
clothing, toys, candles, baked goods, breads, salon products and local farm produce, to name just a few of the
wares that were for sale.
The event also promoted holiday charity drives and
fundraisers for the American Legion, a coat drive by Kay
Dina Insurance, a Cub Scout wreath drive and a Toys for
Tots drive by the Marlborough Police Department.
Madeline’s Dance Center showcased the varied talents
of their dancers on the main stage and even “Farmer
Santa” made a personal appearance.
Milton vendor Jessica Cohen, of Random Cuteness,
brought her craftwork to the holiday gala.
“I started crafting when I was younger and it was a
way to make money,” she said, adding that the proceeds
from her sales made it possible for her to attend hobby
conventions.
“I make accessories, purses, even clothing and scarves,”
she said. “I take commissions for other things too, like if
you need clothing for special occasions or costumes for
Halloween. I even do some home accents like curtains
and valances.”
Joanne “Jo” Giunta has been a representative for
Tastefully Simple since 2006. She sold packages of mixes
for a variety of baked goods that need only a few ingredients to make.
“You can make dips; you can make breads, chocolate
chip cookies, brownies, pound cake and even apple
crisps,” she said. “They even have a gluten-free line.”
Giunta said the company is also famous for their beer
or soda bread mixes. She also had Christmas and holiday
baskets for sale.
Giunta holds home tasting parties where she brings
baked goods for sale.
“People come and they just taste it, look through the
[catalog] book and have a grand old time,” she said, adding that orders she places arrive within 10 days.
“It’s delivered by UPS, so it’s quick and safe,” she said.
Giunta said this was her first time at the event “so this
is nice.”
Sheila Mannese said this event is intended to support
the local business community and not-for-profit organizations.
“Our idea was to bring everything under one roof and
make it easy and fun for everybody to support local,” she
said.
Mannese said all Meet Me in Marlborough members
were invited to particip