By Coben Scott
Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 marked the 15th annual Falcon Craft Fair sponsored by the Falcon Exchange Club. The event took place at Falcon High School. All proceeds support a number of nonprofit organizations across the county.
Attendees donated nonperishables and clothing to the Eastern Plains Community Pantry in Calhan in place of an entry fee. A silent auction offered a variety of goods for bids. An endless sea of different craft booths were set up throughout the gym (vendors filled the entire gym), cafeteria and common area. Vendors’ merchandise included soap, lotions, wood crafts, jewelry, teepees, Christmas ornaments and wood crafts. Baked goods included every kind of pumpkin treats imaginable. The Patriot High School Culinary Club provided an array of fresh food for the event goers.
One local vendor who has made several appearances at other community events is Nite Owl Stitchery, owned by Kari Wendling (her mother Dawn, was there helping out as well). Wendling has been making her own jewelry for more than 25 years. She said she has an allergy to most metals used for jewelry, so 15 years ago she decided to make a business out of her jewelry making hobby, and “give back to the community a little bit.” Her products range from Halloween-themed earrings to pet memorial pieces. Recently, she was commissioned to make key chains for the Liberty High School cheerleading team, and has also done work with several animal hospitals in the area for her pet memorial jewelry. She said her favorite things to make are wearable dried flower jewelry, created from hiking through Black Forest and picking small flowers, which are encased in a resin cast and turned into wearable works.
The next craft event in Falcon will take place at Falcon High School Nov. 9, hosted by the Falcon Lady Softball Team. Nite Owl Stitchery, along with many other notable vendors will attend. The event is a fundraiser for the softball team.
Featured at the Exchange Club’s October craft fair at Falcon High School were numerous vendors selling everything from soaps and lotions to wood crafts, Christmas decorations and plentiful baked goods
Featured at the Exchange Club’s October craft fair at Falcon High School were numerous vendors selling everything from soaps and lotions to wood crafts, Christmas decorations and plentiful baked goods
Kari Wendling, left, and Dawn Wendling, display Kari’s handcrafted jewelry, which includes key chains, pet memorial pieces, bracelets and more.
Don Koveliski, president of the Falcon Exchange Club, said the club’s craft fair was successful again this year. “We collected a total of 364.5 pounds of non-perishable foods and dried food,” Koveliski said. “We donated the majority to the Eastern Plains Community Pantry in Calhan and some to the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Pantry.” They also collected a total of 115 winter coats, shirts and blankets for the Eastern Plains Community Pantry and the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. “We had over 90 vendors and more than 1,400 shoppers come through on the weekend,” Koveliski said. “We raised a little more than $9,500 from vendor booth fees, a Silent Auction on both days, an Exchange Club of Falcon table and our donation can. He said the funds will be shared with “several nonprofit agencies” in El Paso County that support veterans, child abuse prevention, community pantries and adults with disabilities.
