Trinity United Church craft/bake sale has become a tradition in Verona

Craig Bakay | Nov 07, 2018

Trinity United Church in Verona has been holding a craft/bake sale on the first Saturday in November for a long time now. Nobody’s really too sure how long but it’s at least 25 years, dating back to when it was held in the bookstore at the mall in Verona.

Organizer Jane Adamson has been involved in most of them, although she readily admits “I have help, for instance Joyce Casement was the fundraiser.”

Although Adamson moved to Kingston recently, she’s still involved with the museum in Hartington and still spends “about three days a week in Verona” with various activities and groups.

“We have 17 vendors this year, two of whom are new,” Adamson said. “It’s been steady (customers) considering the weather.

“We try to decorate for Christmas to get people in the mood.”

Although the event is a fundraiser for the Church, they are also continuing the Christmas basket tradition (all the goods in the baskets are donated, including gift certificates from Tim Horton’s, Canadian Tire and Carmelinda’s Restaurant in Kingston) which raises funds for the community.

“Last year we raised $860 that went to Christmas for Kids,” she said.

It’s a very social atmosphere at the sale, with lunch available and that’s a big part of what keeps Adamson and others coming back to do it.

“I just enjoy the day,” she said. “People come and I love seeing new people, but I also love people coming back.”

Adamson said it’s important to keep up traditions such as this.

“We need to keep it up,” she said. “As Joyce said to me, ‘people look forward to it.’”

The sign says ‘just chillin’ and that’s what therapy dog Buddy was doing with his crafting companion Tony Farrell of Tony Farrell Woodcrafts. Photo/Craig Bakay