Dexter Heritage Guild Offers Handmade Gifts for the Holidays

The Dexter Heritage Guild is bringing a touch of local flavor to the community just in time for the holiday shopping season.

The guild's annual Christmas bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Dexter Area Historical Society Museum, 3443 Inverness St.

The bazaar will feature several handmade crafts from guild members, who have been hard at work since February preparing for the event.

Event chairwoman Carol Ann Emerick said some of this year's items include handmade ornaments, dish clothes, fire starters, handmade wreaths, specialty scarves, and handmade wooden toys made by guild members' husbands.

"Everything for sale at the bazaar was made by one of our members or donated from someone in the community," Emerick said.

One of the more popular items are the guild's hand crocheted dish "scrubbies."

"People buy scrubbies by the dozen," she said.

In addition to the craft bazaar, the guild will also have tables full of baked goods, dried goods and kitchen supplies for sale.

Member Susan Schotts said the bazaar is always a popular event that runs concurrently with the annual Home for the Holidays festival sponsored by Think Dexter First.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "There is a lot going on here in town during the bazaar, so it makes for a great holiday shopping day."

Sonie Hargrove has been making items for the bazaar since 2002, and said she enjoys the camaraderie and chance to learn new skills.

"My friend introduced me to the historical society to keep me busy, and now they can't get rid of me," she joked.

This year's bazaar is dedicated to Dexter resident Bea Christoferson, who died earlier this year and served as the bazaar chairwoman.

"Bea will be missed," Schotts said. "She left a void in our group that can never be replaced. She was one of those people who made you laugh and encouraged you to learn how to craft."

In previous years Christoferson's tatted tree garlands have been the most popular selling item.

"We will have some of her items leftover from 2011, but shoppers should plan to get here early because a lot of crafts sell out quickly," Schotts said.

Proceeds from the sale go toward the upkeep of the museum, Schotts said. Past funds have helped the guild purchase a water heater and printing fees for a book on Judge Samuel Dexter, the village's founder.

In addition to the guild’s bazaar, the Dexter Girl Scouts will host a bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ. The Dexter Senior Center will also host a craft bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a 50/50 raffle and gifts for sale.

For more information, visit www.dextermuseum.org, call 734-426-2519 or e-mail dexterguild@gmail.com.