Holiday Market raises money for Oxford Seniors Center

The+camaraderie+of+a+homemade+bean+soup+and+cornbread+luncheon+is+always+a+popular+part+of+the+annual+Oxford+Seniors%E2%80%99+Holiday+Market.+Photo+by+Lauren+Shassere

The camaraderie of a homemade bean soup and cornbread luncheon is always a popular part of the annual Oxford Seniors’ Holiday Market. Photo by Lauren Shassere

By Lauren Shassere

Oxford Seniors hosted its annual Holiday Market Saturday, Nov. 2, selling crafts, homemade decorations and baked goods — all topped off with a lunch of bean soup and cornbread.

The Seniors began the holiday tradition in 1995. Ten percent of the proceeds from the craft and baked goods booths, and all proceeds from the luncheon go towards supporting the Oxford Seniors Center, said Jeanne Glaser, the operations administrator for the organization.

Hundreds of people passed through the market during the four-hour event at the center, which is located at 922 Tollgate Drive. Many of the vendors and customers at the market said they saw the event as a fun kick-start to the holiday season.  

Ellie Marcum (left), a long-time member, and Ingrid Schreiber, orchestrator of the show, stand in front of some of the handmade quilts that were on sale. Photo by Lauren Shassere

“It’s always great to see people come out and have a good time,” Ellie Marcum, a long-time member of the group, said.

Linda Brown’s stained-glass booth highlighted one of the most popular classes taught at the senior center during the year. “I love teaching the stained-glass class here. It’s great seeing how much people enjoy it and seeing them come back again and again,” Brown, as she sold off colorful Christmas tree ornaments and other items.

Stained glass classes led by Linda Brown (far right) are among the most popular classes offered by Oxford Seniors during the year. At Saturday’s show, Brown and family members Stacy DeHart (center), and Claire DeHart (left), worked the stained-glass booth on Saturday. Photo by Lauren Shassere

Another particularly popular booth was run by Amy Devine, who repurposed wood scraps and old book pages to create rustic holiday decor. Devine said it was the first craft sale she had ever participated in.

“I used to make these things for my family and friends just for fun and everyone kept telling me that I should start a little business out of it,” Devine said. “I’m very happy that it seems to be a big hit. I just think making these little crafts is so fun and they always come out looking so cute.”

Customers bustled from booth to booth Saturday, getting in some early Christmas shopping at the Oxford Seniors’ annual Holiday Market. Photo by Lauren Shassere
Linda Brown unhooks a stained glass tree ornament that was picked out by a customer on Saturday. Photo by Lauren Shassere
The stained glass booth had pre-made items for sale and took orders for personalized items such as those pictured here. Photo by Lauren Shassere
Some of the handcrafted items that Ellie Marcum sold at her booth at Saturday’s craft market. Photo by Lauren Shassere
Amy Devine sold hand-crafted holiday decorations made from wood scraps and book pages at her booth.. Photo by Lauren Shassere
A selection of handmade purses and clutches were among the craft items on display at Saturday’s annual Oxford Seniors Holiday Market. Photo by Lauren Shassere
Oxford Seniors hosted its annual holiday craft sale and bean soup luncheon, Nov. 2, at the Seniors’ center, 922 Tollgate Drive. Photo by Lauren Shassere