Celebrating 25 years of area craftsmen
By Nicole LeBlanc
Women chatting amidst

Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the Common, the Townsend Historical Society will host its 25th annual arts and crafts fair.

the patchwork quilts a n d

Whomemade dolls. Woodworkers, silversmiths, workers sharing a laugh with the neighbors who pass their booths.

Brightly colored balloons catching the eyes of children who are playing at the sand art table; and clusters of teenagers shopping for unique, hand- crafted jewelry.

September would not be complete in Townsend without the arts and crafts fair. This year is no exception, but it is especially memorable.

"The fair is the historical society's biggest fund-raiser," said Karen Distasio, who coordinates the fair with her husband, Jim. "There's something for everyone. You could spend 50 cents or you could spend $10."

Proceeds from the fair support the historical society, which is a nonprofit organization based-out of the beautiful Reed Homestead. The historical society receives its funds through fund-raisers or donations and is dedicated to collecting and preserving materials that relate to the history of Townsend.

Linda Gallant serves up the famous strawberry shortcake that brings people from all over the region during the Yankee Street Fair, held in Westminster, Saturday Aug. 26.

The society shares the wealth of its discoveries by producing books related to local history, protecting artifacts, and providing tours through early buildings of the town.

The 25th arts and crafts fair - to be held rain or shine in the center of Townsend at the junction of Routes 119 and 13 - will showcase New England's flair for homemade gifts while supporting the Townsend Historical Society. Alongside the crafters, Boy Scout Troop #81 will run a mouth-watering food court; and for those with a sweet tooth, a familiar red wagon from the Farm at Baptist Common will be providing around 15 varieties of fudge to choose from.

"It's excellent Christmas shopping," Distasio said. She laughed and added, "Believe it or not, people start Christmas shopping in June. Not me! But some people."

The Christmas shopping opportunities and exhibits of unbelievable talent would have never existed had it not been for one man: Ed West.

In 1981, the Methodist church in Townsend changed its fall craft fair to the spring season. What most people would have overlooked as a mere schedule change, West - currently residing as the treasurer of the Townsend Historical Society - saw as an open space waiting to be filled by a new craft fair.

"I wanted one [a fair] for the Historical Society," West said. "I took it upon myself to plan it."

Knowing that it would begin small, West chose to tackle the task single handedly. Aside from contacting crafters and artists, he prepared signs, one of which is still used today, to advertise the fair. He also developed a rule to protect the fair from becoming a giant yard sale, rather than an arts and crafts fair.

"The crafters and artists must do their own work with their own hands," West said. "That's true for today too."

The first year was small, as predicted, but it was a success. Local artists and crafters rented areas to sell their handiwork; and people from the town ventured out to stroll along the commons for a fun-filled, family afternoon.

"As I recall, many of the local crafters asked for the same area they had the year before," West said. "Some are still coming after they came 25 years ago."

The late Sam Thorpes was one of the artists who was present that first year and many years afterward. Thorpes, was a Townsend artist who painted landscapes depicting New England scenery. His beautiful paintings of old sugar houses, mills, and seascapes allowed him to travel to shows located as far as Washington, DC.

"Painting was the first thing in his life," his wife, Louise, said.

According to Louise, Thorpes was mentioned in "Who's Who in the World" and "Who's Who in America" and was even recognized by former President George Bush. Every year, however, the accomplished artist was present at the Townsend Arts and Crafts Fair with his beautiful oil paintings.

It has been people like West and Thorpes who have contributed to the fair's respect in the community. For 25 years, crafters, artists, and coordinators - some of whom have gained recognition in their field - have personally remained faithful to the fair.

Ardys Arlin and Marvin Jacobs are two such artists who travel from Belfast, Maine to set up their paintings. Arlin formerly lived in New Hampshire but moved to Maine where she and Jacobs, a fourth generation painter, have an art gallery. The drive from Maine requires them to leave the day before the fair begins, but they continue to make the trip every year. To Arlin, it's worth it.

"We're together, sharing our art and our lives," she said.

For many, this is what sums up the Townsend Arts and Crafts Fair. The fair is a chance to stop a moment - to come together as New Englanders and to share a common, nostalgic past.

Over the years, according to West, the number of artists dwindled but more crafters became involved. People from out of state began to rent areas to sell their crafts. And eventually, after 10 years of coordinating the fair, West passed the torch to Karen and Jim Distasio.

"Karen and Jim stepped forward and offered to help, and I jumped at the opportunity," West said. "They do a lot of work, and they do it well."

The Distasios have been coordinating the event for the past 15 years and have continued to see the fair grow. By using the "Bring a Friend Program," they encourage current crafters and artists to invite new participants.

"If a crafter brings a friend, their fee is half price," Karen Distasio said.

The Distasios begin the fair's application process in January. Throughout the procedure, they must weed out applicants who aren't true to the feel of the New England fair.

Like West, they are determined to keep the fair from becoming a flea market. As the fair draws closer, there are details such as organizing the crafter's unloading process and moving vehicles quickly and efficiently. It's no wonder that the fair must go on, no matter the weather.

"The first 10 years Jim and I were running it, we had great weather," Karen Distasio said. "The track record has been good, but we've been getting it more rain lately."

Although the majority of crafters are local, 10 to 15 of the nearly 80 crafters are from out of state. Some crafters travel from as far as Maine, Ne w York, and Connecticut. Like Arlin and Jacobs, distance won't discourage people from participating.