The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor When the Northern Country Crafters recently donated elegant blinds to the Personal Care Home, they were continuing a long tradition of generosity. Hanging over the large windows of the resident lounge, the light brown fabric blinds did not come cheap, carrying a price tag of $2,000. Residents and staff were deeply appreciative for the gift. The crafters were grateful for the opportunity to help. * * * In 1995, a group of four local nurses and a friend shared a passion for crafting as well as a dilemma _ they did not know what to do with all of the items they were making. After all, friends and family can only handle so much. They formed the Northern Country Crafters, which began organizing an annual craft sale, the first of which was held on Nov. 4, 1995 with 14 exhibitors. The sale has since become a popular area tradition, offering a range of items to patrons getting a head start on their Christmas shopping. See 'People...'on pg. 15 Continued from pg. 10 Vendors often see people return two to three times during the course of the one-day sale. They want that perfect handcrafted gift. The sale has always featured door raffles and other raffles, with the prizes usually donated by the participating crafters. The idea was to earn a little extra money to provide donations to community projects. Since most of the group consisted of nurses, the crafters were partial to the Flin Flon health care system. Over the years they have supported the chemotherapy department, palliative care room, medical floor and long-term care facilities. Items donated include bedding, blankets, commode chairs, a microwave, a stereo, a TV stand, magazines and CDs. Though not funded by the health care system, such items are important to patients. The crafters' largest donation came in 2004 when $1,500 was proudly presented to the Northern Lights Manor. This year, in addition to the blinds at the Personal Care Home, the crafters will donate patio furniture to the Northern Lights Manor and perhaps some music machines for individual residents. Not surprisingly, the two long-term care facilities have become the main focus of the crafters. The Northern Country Crafters have diminished over the years from the original five members down to the present two of Jeri Holmes and Marlyn Fehr. Sadly the group has lost two members to cancer, Nancy Lavergne and Dorothy Streamer. The others have relocated to other communities or have just decided to pursue other opportunities. All members past and present feel the group has served the community in three important ways. It has provided the public with handcrafted items for gift-giving, supplied extra comfort items for the health care facilities, and given crafters an important outlet. And so continues a long tradition of generosity. _ With notes from a biography supplied by the Northern Country Crafters
