Tue, 09/12/2023 - 11:30am

John Nunan

BHML Director, Joanna Breen, left, receives a check donation from Sarah Brewer of the Boothbay Region Crafters. John Nunan photo

There is something intrinsically “summer” about a craft fair. They are synonymous with green lawns and sunny days. Growing up in Old England ( rather than New England), they would always take place on the church green and bring the whole town together. In Boothbay, the library lawn is the center of town, so it feels very familiar. And where there are crafts … people follow.

Beginning around Memorial Day and running until Labor Day, the craft fairs offered by Boothbay Region Crafters & Harbor Arts Craft Guild are a fixture on the lawn three days a week all summer long. There you will find an eclectic mix of jellies and jams, pickled vegetables, woodwork, jewelry, quilting, ceramics, and so much more.

“It is also a place for conversation and where connections are made,” says Sarah Brewer, who coordinates the Boothbay Region Crafters. “We as a community of crafters, share a common interest so, not surprisingly, we also enjoy each other’s company.

“We each put our creativity … and love, into the items we sell, no matter what that is. There is also a feel-good component in that we are able to give a donation to the library each year to support the library’s Annual Fund.”

This year Sarah presented BHML Director Joanna Breen with a check to the amount of $1,399.42 on behalf of the crafters. “We love having the crafters on the lawn, it’s how we know it’s summer! The donations from the crafters is so greatly appreciated; as a nonprofit, we fundraise over 40% of our operating budget. In this way, we support each other and the spirit of community.” Breen adds.

“I personally have been doing this for many years, and at the end of each season we have been able to make a generous donation to the fund.” said Brewer in closing “ In the past decade alone we have given close to $30,000. We believe in the Library as an essential resource for our community, so it feels good to be able to support that in some tangible way.”