School bazaar a big success

Saturday was a gloomy and snowy day, but the two Plains School gymnasiums were filled with brilliant colors of glass mugs, aluminum photos, smooth frosting, and sparkling jewelry.

It was the Plains Schools 2nd Annual Winter Bazaar with vendors spread out in the school's two gyms and the event coordinator is looking to make it even bigger next year "It was a success in so many ways," said Debbie Brown, who has put on the event for the past two years. "The community loved coming to look, purchase and visit," she added. Brown said she'd like to see about having a Santa next year.

The purpose of the bazaar was to raise money for the school's National Honor Society, which uses the money to fund a year end educational trip. Heather Worrall, the NHS advisor, said they raised about $475 on the baked goods alone and $1,100 altogether. The NHS students used the money two years ago for a trip to Seattle, where they visited the Seattle Underground historic tour. Worrall said the students would like to go to Boston or Washington, D.C. Besides raising the money, the NHS students must make a presentation to the school board for approval.

The bazaar had 64 vendors from Plains, Thompson Falls, Hot Springs, Heron, and St. Regis, said Brown, who added that it was the first time for 37 of them. A dozen of them were student vendors, who paid only half of the $20 booth fee. "We also had professional quality bakers, one selling an assortment of sourdough baked goods and the other selling scones - she sold out," said Brown. "The Skills USA kiddos had so many amazing pieces and they even had to take special orders to satisfy customers. I could go on and on with the talent we had there, but I don't think you have the amount of space needed," said Brown.

One of the first time vendors from Plains was Broken Barrel Woodworks operated by KC Watts. Watts, who started the business full time a year ago, had wood products from bottle openers for $25 to a white oak custom made cabinet for $850. All of his products are made from reclaimed whiskey and wine barrels. Retired Hot Springs teacher Lisa Mueller has done numerous events with her seasonal crafts, but this was her first time at the Plains School bazaar with her wide assortment of just Christmas decorations in glass, wood, fabric, and wreaths.

It was also the first time for Chilaili Wachiwi, a Native American musician from Trout Creek, who had a batch of Indian items made by peoples of members of Montana tribes from one-inch glass and metal ornamental bugs to a three-foot long musical rainstick, which mimics the sound of rain. The professional flautist also had a number of her CDs for sale. She said that all the money raised goes to food programs in Montana.

Jill Pestana of St. Regis joined the bazaar for the first time with her Antler Art of Montana with everything from Santa earrings to deer antler back scratchers, and the bazaar highlighted two local photographers, Tracy Scott of Plains and Emily Gasiewicz of Thompson Falls. Plains resident Brad Stacey of Broad Meadow Bowls had a good day for his first school bazaar with his custom made wooden bowls, lamps, rolling pins, vases, coffee tables, and cookie jars from different species of wood.

It was also a good day for second time vendor "Mama Rosies," operated by Amber Hyde, her son, Arrow, daughter, Ocean Weeks, and Jayden Weeks, with clay and wooden jewelry and other wood products. Also for round two was the St. James Catholic Church of Plains, who sold raffle tickets for a full size handmade quilt by former Plains resident Carla Martin.

People were once again treated to "Shay's 3-D Trees," by 14-year-old Shay Nelson of Plains who had hand carved pine trees ranging from one inch tall to 15 inches. Plains resident Shylah Flynn participated last year as a senior in high school, but this time her western decor of rope wreaths and what she called "horseshoe hangings" filled her booth.

Brown was pleased with the success of the event and guessed there were an estimated 400 people coming and going throughout the day. She said they had visitors from throughout Sanders County, as well as from Lake, Mineral, Flathead, and Lincoln Counties. She also noted vehicles from Washington and Idaho. She said the feedback was very positive. "Facebook has been abuzz with comments, posts with treasures found and so many comments about how impressed they were with our student vendors," said Brown.

"We are so lucky to have such remarkable students in this school," said Brown. The students help vendors haul in goods and set up tables and chairs in the old gym for customers to snack on their purchased snacks and hot chocolate, she said. She especially liked that the student vendors participated. "This bazaar was created for them. We have so many talented students in this school and now they have the opportunity to show off."