A tradition continues

The Reidsville Woman’s Club held its annual fall market sale Friday and Saturday. Local vendors set up to sell, while others came from across North Carolina.

Lisa Chmielewski, a vendor of handmade pottery and clay jewelry, said she has been coming to the market for the past four years.

“I always have a very good day when I come here and it’s nice to be home and see friendly faces,” Chmielewski said. “It’s my only hometown show, and I like to be able to offer my products to local clients. It’s also nice to be home on the weekend.”

Judy Dickerson and her friend Brenda Page said they like the variety and try to make it a yearly tradition to come out to the market.

“It’s a really good display this weekend, and there are lots of pretty things here,” Dickerson said. “There is a good variety, and the vendors are nice and really friendly. This is also a good place to find fellowship, and a place to find good deals for the holidays.”

“They have an excellent variety here, and I’ve seen some people I haven’t seen in a while,” Page said. “It’s also nice to enjoy the lunch here as well.”

Dickerson and Page have been coming to the market for about nine years, and they hope to make it for nine more.

Vendors Susan Pruitt and her sister Sandra Helton came from Ruffin to showcase their floral arrangements. Pruitt said she has been coming to the market for about eight years.

“This is a really nice venue to have a market in, because it’s indoors, so you can make it rain or shine,” Pruitt said. “The women in the club also help me if I come here by myself. I always have a good day when I come to this market.”

Rochelle Tucker, president of the club, said members use this event and others to help out different groups in the community with their needs.

“We try to donate to colleges, children’s organizations, the Salvation Army, and to schools to help with trips and other things,” Tucker said. “This also gives a lot of local vendors a chance to showcase their work and have some exposure.”

Tucker said organizations who request their funding help write in a letter and try to help in any way they can.

“Even if we can’t fund the entire amount they are asking for, we try to fund it at some level to let them know that we appreciate what they do and we support them,” Tucker said.

The market was held at Zion Baptist Church on Piedmont Street in Reidsville. It has been held for more than 25 years to support the community and to meet the club’s service requirements.