By Danita Boonchaisri
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. - Gather 'round the Calvert Country Market (CCM) in December for a heaping helping of holiday cheer, good will and festivities. Come to CCM to purchase last-minute gifts and trimmings for your holiday meals and, with more than 20 vendors, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind gifts, treats, baubles and trinkets from which to choose.
As a special treat, on Saturday, December 16, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., children and adults alike can spend a few minutes with Santa Claus and get their photographs taken for a nominal charge. Also on December 16 from 10:00 to noon, enjoy a performance of traditional holiday favorites by "7:17," a local singing group; from 12:00-1:00 p.m., hear holiday stories by Glenda Fields; and from 3:00- 4:00 p.m., watch judging of the Gingerbread House contest (pre-registration is required to enter the contest).
Many other activities for children will take place throughout the day including free cupcake decoration with Cakes by Jeneva; free small craft art by Sister's Corner; free reindeer candy canes with Jerre Stephens; ceramic ornament painting (nominal fee) with Diane's Ceramics; and polymer clay art (nominal fee) with DayDreamer Debbie (3D).
The market vendors are also sponsoring two charity drives again this season - an Angel Tree for "Silver Belles and Golden Gents," residents at Calvert County Nursing Center (CCNC) - and a children's book drive.
CCNC has 149 residents and this year's goal is to make sure that each resident receives a holiday gift. The elderly are often forgotten and in need of personal items and warm clothing. Suggested items include sweaters, fleece outfits, socks, toiletries/hygiene items, lotions, candy, lap blankets, old movies, hairbrushes and combs. Gifts for the Angel Tree must be purchased and returned to CCM no later than Wednesday, December 20, to allow for delivery in time for Christmas. For more information, contact Debbie Weimert of Daydreamer Debbie (3D) at 410.610.2658 or Diane Krolczyk of Diane's Ceramic Shoppe at 410.610.9624.
Along with the United Way, vendors at CCM will also be collecting new, unwrapped books for children aged 0 to 5 years old until Tuesday, December 12, as part of the "Success by 6" program. Literacy is critical to a child's overall health and future success and the 2006 Book Drive will help ensure that some of the County's youngest and most needy children have the tools to succeed.
The Calvert Country Market is the only year-round, indoor market in Southern Maryland and people come from miles around to shop for farm-fresh produce, baked goods, jams, cakes and honey. Located in the Prince Frederick Shopping Center, at the corner of Rt. 4 and Duke Street, Calvert Country Market features a bakery, green grocer, yarn, ceramics, wood crafts, polymer clay supplies, antiques shop, fine jewelry, candies, essential oils and a gourd shop.
For more information, please contact the market manager at 410.414.9669, visit the Web site at http://www.calvertcountrymarket.com/ .