Election Day bazaar to benefit missions

An Election Day tradition returns to Maryville on Tuesday, Nov. 6, when the United Methodist Women will host their annual bazar to raise money for mission programs operating both locally and worldwide.

Della A. Rhoades of the Maryville First United Methodist Church said the history of the annual fundraiser goes back at least to the 1930s and at some point became linked to Election Day.

For years, the historic 1894 church, which stands at 102 N. Main, served as a polling place. That is no longer the case, but the women's group has continued its practice of offering a soup-and-salad meal, baked goods and hand-crafted gift items for sale on the day when local citizens mark their general election ballots.

This year's event, themed "Red … White ... and Blue," will take place in the church's basement Fellowship Hall. Doors open at 7 a.m., when fresh doughnuts, rolls, coffee and juice will be served.

"Martha Washington’s Pantry" will feature cookies, cakes, pies and other home-baked items. A large collection of new and used books will be for sale at "Abe’s Library," and the "Betsy Ross’ Corner" is to include sewn, crocheted and knitted gift merchandise along with denim loomed rugs.

Holiday shoppers will want to check out the "Stars Shining Bright" section for seasonal decorations, and collectors can browse through "Abigail’s Attic" and "Pieces of the Past" for antiques and scrap-booking supplies.

Lunch — "A Star Spangled Spread" — begins at 11 a.m. with "Methodist Stew," sloppy joes, chicken salad and assorted homemade pies.

There will also be gift baskets available filled with Bearcat items, Christmas gifts and family and kitchen novelties.

Centerpieces of the 2012 bazaar include a blue and white, cross-stitched 60-by-104-inch tablecloth made by the late Elizabeth Ringold and an 85-by-102-inch hand-stitched "Christmas Ribbons" quilt created by the UMW quilting club.

The quilt took approximately three months for the half-dozen members to complete, working for three hours each Wednesday afternoon.

Both the quilt and the tablecloth will be raffled off, which chances going for $1 each or six for $5.    

Other items for sale at the event will include a stepping stone bearing the United Methodist symbol and a Bearcat jacket.