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Holiday City Carefree Residents Show Off Talent At Annual Arts & Crafts Show
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Bea Jaeger and Cynthia Smith show of some of their hard-created goods at a recent arts & crafts show at Holiday City Carefree. For more photos from this event visit our photo galleries at micromediapubs.com. |
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Old fashioned talent mixed with a hobby is a recipe for success, as was seen at the third annual Holiday City Carefree Annual Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Show sponsored by the Carefree Gazette newsletter.
A walk through the busy Carefree clubhouse last week showed Vincent Altamura, association president, admiring one of his favorite pieces, an oil painting of actress Elizabeth Ashley that he painted around 1965.
"I've been painting since I was a kid in the Bronx," he said, as fellow clubhouse members Ernie Wurzbach and Burt Kiesel looked over their crafts and painting table, and while resident Billy Graham produced one of his many pictures, including a portrait of Frank Sinatra done in graphite pencil.
Nearby, Lars Sorensen showed off a wildlife nature exhibit that included acrylic and pencil drawings and wildlife carvings.
"I love nature," said Sorensen. "It inspires me," he said, as he also displayed a children's book, "A Dog With Two Houses," which he wrote and illustrated.
Ninety-year-old Margie Dueltgen said that petit point and crocheting keep her busy, but following the craft show, "This is it," she declared, waving her hand over her beautifully done items. "I'm retiring," she said with her friend, Mary Thomson.
Maryann Murphy displayed old fashioned porcelain dolls with handmade outfitsand nearby Anne De Angelis offered brilliant acrylic water color paintings.
Emily Martizano said she has used her crocheted and knit Afghans as gifts for many years. "Everyone wants one," said the 92-year-old.
At the craft fair an Elvis collection contained many items including a decorated Elvis chair, done by resident Americo. "He started this collection in the 1950s," said his sidekick, Vivian, "and whenever we see any unusual Elvis items we pick them up."
Bea Jaeger's heavy hand appliquéd quilt done in rose and white was on display along with many crocheted baby items. "She does beautiful work," said her visiting sister, Claudia Smith.
"This show is put on because I want the people in Carefree to come and look at the wonderful talent we have in our community," said event chair Isabella Yadvish. "It's always been a free show where residents can come and just look and maybe buy something. You're able to talk to other people in the community and get to know your neighbors."
"This year we were proud that one table who sold their handmade items donated the money to a local scout troop. I think that was a nice idea since we need to support our young people today. I also say this because I'm a Scout mother. Both my sons are Eagle Scouts," Yadvish said.
Proceeds from floral and shell arrangements made by Carefree resident Eleanor Soltys were donated to Boy Scout Troop 76, Bayville to be used for camping equipment.
Soltys' son, Steven, is a Scoutmaster and her grandson, Matthew, 11, is a member of Troop 76.
"Toni, my daughter-in-law, and the family are very active in the Troop," said Mrs. Soltys proudly as she stood at her table filled with crafts and baked goods. "I was happy to contribute. It was great for the boys and we took in about $170."
Troop 76 is sponsored by VFW Post 9503, Bayville and meet at St. Barnabas Church each Thursday. "We are a small but very active troop," said Betsy Huhn, Troop 76 committee chair.
"We're here at the craft show to raise money for a box trailer to help us transport our equipment to and from campouts and other activities, and Mrs. Soltys graciously donated her beautiful crafts for us to sell to help out with the trailer," said Huhn, adding, "We are always looking for service projects for the boys to do."
"We are always looking for new members. Any boys aged 11 to 18 are invited to come check us out or can contact us by e-mail, Scoutmaster76@ aol.com," said Huhn, who added, "If anyone would like to make a donation to the troop they can contact us by e-mail or 3 Pigeon Place, Bayville, NJ 08721."
At day's end, Holiday Carefree residents said their show was a huge success. "We had a great show. We wanted to show off all our talent," said Altamura.
"We were well received by many people," said Yadvish. "We had a really large turnout so I was pleased and so were the people in the show."
"I want to thank the Carefree Gazette for their help. Ann Luecken and Lottie Molmar and Stella Andrew. Frank Piccolo and John Squicciarini checked up on everything in the morning. What would we do without these great guys? We truly are blessed," said Yadvish., who added thanks to Lorraine Donahue, June Politowski, Kay Meyer, Ivy Shaffner, Don Vanness, Edith Haderer, Betty Pencak, Pete Ferbiak, Marylyn Leach, Connie Townsend, Vivian Belcaro, Lars Sorensen, Irene Petruzziello and Martha Hudson, "I want to give everyone credit who came to show their work."
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