OAKS to hold Craft Fair

OAKS Administrator Christina Nixon encourages all crafters to participate in an upcoming craft fair and bazaar.

“We’re looking for people to rent booths and display their crafts,” said Nixon. “November 16 is the opening day of deer season and we’re going to have a craft fair at the OAKS.”

Nixon continued, “If you’re like me your husband is gone at this time of year. If they can go hunting we can go spend a little money.”

Pictured is a St. Louis Cardinals/Tony La Russa tribute quilt the OAKS is currently raffling.Photo by Jeff Dorris, staff

“It will be fun,” she added. “I love craft fairs. It’s good to see local talent and hopefully find something you like.”

Booth space is $30.

“Hopefully it will be a good little fundraiser for us, and it will help others as well,” Nixon stated. “We lost a significant amount of our funding for the 2025 fiscal year which started in July.”

“That was rough,” she said. “We’ve been doing as many fundraisers as we can to offset some of that loss.”

Nixon shared, “So far, we’ve been doing pretty good. We appreciate the kindness of the community. We’ve had a lot of private donations, which has helped.”

“Even small donations add up,” she said.

Nixon informed that in the spring the OAKS plans to host a dinner theater.

“It will Gatsby themed and a murder/mystery,” she stated. “I’m real excited about that.”

Nixon provided the OAKS has many daily activities and services.

“We have bingo Mondays and Fridays,” she said. “We have dancing Wednesday and Fridays. We have games everyday.”

“Nixon continued, “We have people here all day long. They stay until we close the doors. They visit and socialize.”

Nixon shared they also offer health services.

“We have blood pressure checks once a week, and hopefully in the spring, we’ll start a balancing class,” she stated.

The OAKS Nutrition Center has a walking track, puzzle room, and library.

“We also feed a lot of people,” said Nixon. “There’s a lot to do.”

The OAKS is currently raffling off a St. Louis Cardinals/Tony La Russa tribute quilt handmade by Mary Ann Dearing. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Nixon had high praise for volunteers that devote their time to the nutrition center.

“We absolutely could not function without them,: she said. “We depend on them so much. Volunteers are always welcome.”

Nixon also encouraged the public to visit the OAKS.

“I would love to have people who don’t understand or know what we do, to come in and see everyone,” she said. “The atmosphere is always wonderful and fun.”

Nixon concluded, “We have some wonderful people and interesting stories. You’ll have a blast.”

The Oaks Nutrition Center is located at 100 E. Harrison Street in Kennett.

The OAKS Deer Widow Weekend Craft Fair and Bazaar will be held November 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information or booth rental call 573-888-9852.