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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-10-17, Page 24Ar Benmiller area friends produce decorations to sell at Country Fair BY JOANNE BUCHANAN What do birch bark, corn cobs, pine cones, barn boards, grapevines, wicker and straw all have in common? Well, they are all materials which can be turned into beautiful decorations through the talents of Aisla Fisher, Dorothy Fisher, Lois Rowe and Eileen Bowman. If you don't believe it, just drop into the Christmas Country Fair at Saltford Valley Hall today (Wednesday), Saturday or Sunday. You can find these four Benmiller area ladies there with many beautiful creations they have been producing in basement since August. Friends for many years (Dorothy and Lois are also sisters-in-law), the women first discovered their tnutual enjoyment of crafts about 13 years apo when they decorated the Benmiller United Church for that church's annual Berryfest. To this day, they continue to decorate the church each year for the different seasons and special occasions. WEDDING FUN It wasn't long before word got around about their decorating skills, and the women then began getting requests to do weddings. This year, they have done five complete weddings, from providing the bridal bou- quets and boutonnieres to decorating the church and making the table centrepieces for the reception. They also rent out some of their wedding decorations. "Weddings are fun. Each one is different. The bride usually brings in material from the bridesmaids' dresses so we can match it up and then she leaves the rest up to us, checking in occasionally to see how we're doing," explains Lois who not only decorated for her daughter's recent wed- ding but, with the help of her friends, prepared the whole meal as well. FIRST TIME Lois and her friends also help supervise the Benmiller Church girls' group which raises money to sponsor a foster child. Each year they have made candy, gift cards, fridge magnets, wreaths and ornaments which the girls could sell at the Christmas Country Fair to raise this money. But this is the first year that the women have had a booth of their own. They started seriously producing their decorative crafts about a year and half ago. Dorothy was already an experienced candle -maker who had sold her candles at the Country Fair in previous years. "She was the leader," explains Lois. "Next thing you know, we were taking flower arranging and design courses at Con- estoga College. We also took several courses on bridal bouquets and flower arranging at Fanshawe College." WILL TACKLE ANYTHING Ideas for their crafts are "picked up all over the place" says Lois who has even made lamp shades out of pressed flowers. "One thing leads to another and we even get carried away sometimes. We'll tackle anything. Just don't tell us it can't be lone." A look at their collection at the Country Fair proves her statement correct. They have produced pine cone Christmas trees, wreaths and table centrepieces; straw wreaths; grapevine wreaths; birch bark table centrepieces; silk and dried flower ar- Eileen Bowman and Lois Rowe show some of the wreaths and ornaments they made, along with friends Aisla and Dorothy Fisher, for the Christmas Country Fair at Saltford today. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) rangements; and decorated wicker fans, corn cobs, barn boards, brooms and napkin rings. Dorothy has made the candles for the middle of the table centrepieces and is also selling her other candles at a separate booth. The women point out that the decorations on many of their items are inter -changeable for the different seasons and the Benmiller girls' group are also selling un -decorated grapevine wreaths so people can create their own masterpieces if so inclined. USE NATURE It's hard to put a price on one's work but the women charge according to the amount of time and effort spent and the cost of sup- plies. The latter hey keep low by utilizing products of nature. They say whenever the spirit moves them, they put on their rubber boots and go out into the fields to pick weeds and flowers and gather pine cones and corn cobs. They explain that it's lots of fun and a cheap way to get supplies (pine cones cost 25 cents each to buy in a store). They are quick to point out however, that they only collect from properties where they have permis- sion, usually their own. And they still have to buy some of their supplies, such as silk flowers and ribbon. Aisla, Dorothy, Lois and Eileen aren't seeking a huge profit by being at the Coun- try Fair. If they make money, it will be put back into the purchase of supplies. But they say they will be content "just to break even and have fun." Having fun is the most essential ingre- dient in the women's friendship -turned - partnership. "The best thing about working together on our crafts is that we all like each other and get along very well. That's what makes it fun," concludes Lois. Donnybrook UCW holds meeting male dominance in that country and a reading on Women's Concerns written by a lady minister also describing the difficulties in a male dominated profession, Everyone joined in singing "Come Ye Thankful People Come", followed by the of- fering, the benediction by Ruth and the business led by Margaret Hildebrand. Lois Chamney and Jean Johnston were responsible for the delicious lunch. The October meeting of the Donnybrook U.C.W. was held at the home of Donna Bieman at 2 p.m. on October 9. Ruth Hardy opened the meeting with the call to worship, followed by the singing of "Now Thank we all our God". Alice Jefferson read the scripture, Isaiah 35 1-10, and Ruth gave the meditation on "Courage" and a prayer. Alice read an arti- cle on Korean Women whieh emphasized Festival dedicated to preservation of documents Workshops, displays, children's ac- tivities, demonstrations, and assessments are all part of Paper Treasures - an explora- tion of the world of historical documents to be held at the London Regional Art Gallery, November 2, 3 and 4. The festival has been sponsored by the On- tario Heritage Foundation and is the first of its kind to be held in the province. "The festival is for anyone that uses, col- lects, deals in or just plain appreciates and Participants in the festival will be able to enjoys documents," said festival coor- see and take part in a number of activities. dinator, Marilyn Miller. "We will look at all Registrants can have their paper treasures kinds of documents - books, maps, letters, assessed and be given advice on how to keep photographs and other collectibles such as them intact They can watch or take part in postcards and theatre programs - and ac- demonstrations of paper conservation and quaint people with the knowledge, skills and paper making. Hands-on experience can be experience needed to protect historic, or had under the watchful eye of experts and potentially historic materials in public and information can also be learned from private collections." displays and exhibits reminding us why it is The Foundation identified the preserva- that paper conservation is so important to tion of documents as a priority concern. us. Many institutional' and private collections are rapidly deteriorating and are in danger of total destruction. "The Foundation's con- cern for this loss of valuable resources was what prompted the festival. Documents are the very items that let us piece together family and social histories - they are a treasure trove of information and one that we should work to save," added Miller. GODERICH SIGNAIATAR, WEDNESDAY, OC71'OBER 17,1984 --PAGE 5A INTRODUCIN4S BRYAN SMITH MEET WITH BRYAN DINNER/ DANCE AT: SOUTH HURON REC. CENTRE EXETER, ONT. FRIDAY, OCT. 19 REFRESHMENTS.... 6.7 P.M. DINNER 7 P.M. GUEST SPEAKER: HONORABLE LARRY GROSSMAN Treasurer of Ontario TICKETS 510.00JPER PERSON Tickets Available From Executive Members OR PHONE 235-1251 (AFTER 6 P.M.) HURON -MIDDLESEX a LOSING CONTROL OF YOUR DRINKING? 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