“People just want the holiday spirit. It’s such a counter to the darkness.” — Irene Fowle

'Tis the season to deck the halls and give gifts. Still in search for just the right presents for loved ones on your holiday shopping list? Looking for new holiday décor? Do you have another Yule tree or Christmas tree on your mind? Does a theme-decorated tree for yourself, or to give to someone who might not otherwise have one, appeal to your inner angel and St. Nick?

Not to worry! Boothbay Region Garden Club’s annual Holiday Festival and Winter Market is in two short weeks. For a fourth year, the event will be held at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 32 Emery Lane in Boothbay Harbor. Club members are talented, creative elves with a flair for design, love of the region and the holiday season.

This year’s event will, no doubt, be as exceptional as those of holidays past. Member Sandra Abernathy said BRGC first hit the holiday scene, in a big way, in 2006 during the Festival of Trees held at the Opera House with Santa’s Sweet Shop. Since then, the number of BRGC’s holiday specialty shops has grown and each year something new may be added or replaced in a shop.

Each year,  there are super decorations outside the entry to the Festival. This year, member Kevin Bowle is working on a scene of young birch trees with cardinals to spark the spirit of the season, both holiday and winter, within each shopper.

Shops and artisans include:

Nature’s Gifts. Irene Fowle, Gloria Wakefield, Bonnie Ginger, Abbie Shaw and new member Sue Burge have been busy since late September creating new temptations such as seaglass angels, wreaths, fairy houses, napkins (made by Fowle), napkin rings, and decorations made with recycled embroidery hoops.

Wakefield's husband, Stan Wakefield, made cutting boards of cherry wood (donated by Fowle) in a variety of sizes that were sealed with food grade mineral oil. And he didn’t stop there: With wood from his workshop, he constructed birdhouses, including two specifically for bluebirds; with a few butterfly houses as well.

Theme Christmas Trees. All of the garden club members got together at St. Columba’s Nov. 12 to decorate these trees ranging from 4 to 6 feet. Themes this yearinclude: gingerbread, red truck, mahjong, woodland creatures, cardinals, sleighs, angels, and snowglobes.

Said Gloria Wakefield, “It’s so fun when we meet at the church (St. Columba’s) to build and decorate the trees, and every one is different. Two trees were sold to (club) members that day!”

Sweet Shop. Here’s another shop where many members are baking for this event. Expect cookie platters; and all-time favorites including cakes, cookies, candies, pies, breads, trail mixes, scones, homemade jams, muffins and other delights, such as Sandra Seifert’s cocoa snow cones.

Comfort & Joy: Anything related to Christmas: tablecloths, tree skirts, pillows, napkins, decor, toys, children's books, collectors' items, and jewelry, always a favorite.

Deck the Halls: Flower arrangements, table cloths, glass and dinnerware sets, candles and holders.

"Events like this one give the club purpose and we have a lot of fun," said Fowle, now a member for 15 years. “This is where everyone can come and find special gifts."

Members said the themed gift baskets fly out the door every year. Why so popular? Sandy Abernathy, along with Elaine Gabrielli, Irene Gerny and Karen Reilley, have been dreaming up these popular holiday market gifts.

“We shop for fun and unique items. Club members donate items aware of our specific needs. Nothing has been previously used,” Abernathy said. “They also donate baskets and other containers. We are most grateful for their help. Irene Fowle has sewn cloth napkins and a runner. Gloria Wakefield created items for a soup basket. Another member made many beautiful bows for us. And a new member recently made up four beautiful baskets for us and donated items that will be sold separately.” 

St. Columba’s Episcopal Church is at 32 Emery Lane in Boothbay Harbor. The Holiday Fest and Winter Market hours are: Friday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Payment is cash and checks only.

Proceeds from this holiday event and the annual summer fair or garden tour fund the Club’s environmental or marine sciences scholarship that it funds for the same person(s) for four years. BRGC also makes donations to the YMCA’s Knickerbocker Camp, Boothbay Sea and Science Center, and Set For Success. Members can be seen tending the garden at Memorial Park, the pollinator garden at Edgecomb Eddy School and the Butterfly Garden at Southport Memorial Library; and they tend the windowboxes and make holiday wreaths for all the region’s municipal buildings.