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Saturday, November 15, 2008 3:00 AM 4-H extravaganza attracts a crowd By Eddie Fitzgerald Daily Times Staff Writer Kathy Brown couldn't help but smile as she stopped in front of the colorful, metal yard and house ornaments displayed at a booth Friday in the Wilson County Agriculture Center. Brown was one of many people who decided to do a little early Christmas shopping at the county 4-H Holiday Extravaganza this weekend. The crafts sale continues today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. "I enjoy the crafts and seeing how people are so creative," Brown said. "I wonder why I can't be. I love to see creative people." Brown said she was taking the opportunity to buy a few things for Christmas and for birthday presents. She had about 20 booths to choose from that featured everything from wooden toys, quilted blankets, pocketbooks and Christmas tree decorations, to soaps, jewelry, cookies and cakes. But the small, metal sculptures caught her eye. "Just look at how silly they look," she said. "They make you want to smile." Robert Long of Wilson, who made the metal animals, said that was no accident. "They get smiles from a lot of people," he said, as he sat beside colorful penguins, a peacock with lawn mower blade tail feathers and other animals made from automobile suspension springs. "Some people say it looks like the animals want to talk to you because as inanimate as they are, I try to put expressions on them," Long said. All of the animals, including bees, inch worms and ducks, are made from recycled metal, Long said. Although Long regularly displays his metal animals at art venues, he said he enjoyed the 4-H extravaganza. "It is a good way to give the 4-H a little more exposure," he said. "I came from a farming background so I enjoy doing this." Not far away, Myrtle Creech, who lives near Bailey, was sitting in her booth surrounded by angels, clowns, Santa dolls, carrying bags and pillows, all of which she made. "It's a lot of work but I really enjoy doing it," Creech said. "I enjoy meeting all the people and doing all the work." Doris Bissette and her friend Eva Morriss were standing near the booth also enjoying her work and the extravaganza. "I think it is wonderful, so good for the 4-H," Bissette said. "I think the event is incredible," her friend said. "I attend every year and buy something every year for my godchild. I like to support the 4-H." Across the room April Fletcher, whose booth offered gift bags, jewelry, gift cards and goodies to eat, said a lot of people were stopping by to look at the crafts and desserts. Fletcher is part of a small group of WilMed nurses known as the Lamps of Love. The money from the craft shows they attend goes to help people in need, she said. A couple of booths away, James Council was holding a bag that had a John Deere blanket in it that his wife had bought. He was patiently watching his wife Faye sniffing assorted soaps at a table. He said he lets his wife do the shopping. "I'm just trying to carry everything she buys," he said. "She comes every year and really enjoys it. This is a good place to pick up things for Christmas or just things you might want. She is just getting soap for herself and maybe some Christmas presents, but mostly more for herself than Christmas presents." She ignored him as the lady at the booth showed her a grape cluster of soap. "I think this is great," Council went on. "It shows we've got a lot of talent here. I haven't tried the food yet, but I'm an expert at that part." In the hall, Debbie Skinner, extension service 4-H assistant, was taking the $1 donations people were paying to enter the holiday extravaganza. The people who pay the money have a chance to win a door prize provided by the vendors. All of the money is used to help the 4-H'ers make the annual trip to 4-H Congress in July, Skinner said. eddie@wilsontimes.com | 265-7820 |
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