First Posted: 11/4/2014

From candles to cakes, pottery to pin cushions and soaps to sweets, the Dorothy Boccella Holiday Marketplace features more than 25 local artisans and gift vendors.

It’s not only the event that offers “something for everyone,” however – so does the library which the sixth annual fundraiser supports.

Judy Detter, of Clarks Summit, visits the Abington Community Library almost every week with her two girls, Allie and Zoe, soon to be ages 10 and 12. What she appreciates most about it is the variety of resources and programming it offers for all ages.

“I love that it’s really very family-oriented,” she said, “and there is something for each member of the family. My daughters can check out books and participate in library programs, I can do the same, we can pick up DVDs. And the fact that they offer so many programs across the board to all ages, from toddlers to the elderly, I think it’s fantastic.”

This will be the third year Detter sets up a table for her business, Clever Cakes and Cupcakes, at the Holiday Marketplace, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at the library. She believes it is important for community members to support not only the local businesses and crafters, but the library as well.

“Sometimes that’s what draws people in to the library,” she said. “And they realize then how much the library has to offer. So it’s kind of twofold.”

Detter plans to sell holiday-themed treats at her table, such as cupcakes, whoopie pies and cake pops or cake bites. Some flavors she hopes to incorporate into the baking include caramel apple, peppermint red velvet and chocolate peanut butter.

In addition to vendors purchasing space from which to sell their wares, two groups which meet at the library are donating their craft items for sale: the Always in Stitches quilting group and the Caring Hands knitting group.

Molly Farinola and Susan Potenzano, both of South Abington Township, make up the quilting group’s leadership committee. The ladies are working to “hold the group together” by doing something to help the library after the recent death of their founder, Peg Winter, of Jermyn.

About 18 of the groups members are donating items they created, such as baby quilts, owl-shaped pin cushions, hot pads, wine glass coasters, baby bibs, mug rugs, little girls’ dresses, robes, pillow cases, aprons and more.

One member, Pat Jiuliani, of South Abington Township, said this is the group’s way of “giving back.”

“The library treats us well,” she said.

Library Director Leah Rudolph is grateful for the “heartwarming response” from the community so far, not just from vendors, but also those who donated more than 50 baskets for a raffle, to which tickets are available for purchase now through Nov. 9.

“Over the six years this has been in existence,” she said, “we’ve seen tremendous response from library patrons and those who donate items.”

Other vendors included in the event are: The library’s Anime Club, Reclaimed: A Candle Company, Knits by Nana, Cindy’s Jewelry Creations, Willow Tree Shop, Miss Debbie’s Soap, The Silver Sparrow, Boccella’s Boutique, Newkirk Honey, ReaDo, Glassworks, Janet’s Crafty Creations, Primrose Design, Clever Cakes and Cupcakes, Kath’s Crafts, Keystone College Art Department, Crafternoon Friends, Lakehouse Pottery, Garlin Stained Glass, Burke’s Maple, Creative Impressions by Maria, The Picnic Stand Food Truck, Old World Fan Birds, Nickworks, Sweetreats, Uncommon Designs, The Bowl Man, Ricki’s Crafts and Cards, Giggle Wishes and Valerie Kiser Design.