Library joins annual Sip and Shop

BENNETTSVILLE — An odd pairing to be sure, but even so, both the Grinch and Santa Claus were spotted after hours sneaking around the Marian Wright Endelman Public Library looking for books to buy and good little boys and girls to pose for pictures with Thursday night during the Chamber sponsored downtown Sip and Shop. Luckily, the library participated in the Sip and Shop for the first time this year and had cookies and hot cocoa on hand to fend off the Grinch.

Surprisingly, Friends of the Library President Deborah Cunningham said only one child was scared by Santa, but none were frightened by the Grinch.

“This is our first time participating and the amount of people we have seen tonight really exceeded my expectations,” said Cunningham, adding Friends of the Library were holding a big used book sale- their biggest fundraising event of the year.

“We have sold a lot of books tonight so hopefully we can start pulling out some we have in storage,” says Cunningham.

The Friends president said that at one point the organization had to stop taking book donations because they had too many.

“We also have puzzles, DVDs, and music here at the library, so there is really a lot to offer for everyone,” continued Cunningham.

Volunteer Ann Pearce said she also was surprised by the impressive turn-out.

“I think this is a really nice community event and it’s been nice seeing smiles on all the kids faces when they meet Santa,” said Pearce.

For those who have a passion for literature and understand the value of taking an adventure through a book, Friends of the Library is always in search of volunteers.

Not just Santa, the Grinch, and books were the main attractions at the library Thursday night, as vendors and retailers were set up inside selling everything from candles to one-of-a-kind artwork.

Cindy Livingston owns and operates Cindy’s Crazy Crafts, an art business specializing in Diamond Art. Livingston says her artwork normally takes her anywhere from 10 to 15 hours to complete.

“I am fixing to start The Lord’s Supper, and I already know from looking it over it’s probably going to take me 15 or 20 hours to finish,” said Livingston, who says she can also do pictures of pets and loved ones. “Doing Diamond Art is tedious but I find it really calms me.”

For anyone interested in a unique design of their loved one or for their loved one this holiday season, Cindy’s Crazy Crafts can be reached at (843) 535-2722.

Outspoken and brimming with fun, Bobbie Grooms sales candles in a variety of fragrances.

“I’m retired now and this keeps me active,” says Grooms, who also sales fragrance gels. She says the gels are used in place of wax in a warmer and hers range in price from $6 to $10 depending on size.

“My best-selling candles are Pumpkin S’mores, Iced Evergreen, and American Freedom,” said Grooms. The Iced Evergreen candle burns 100 hours according to Grooms, and the American Freedom burns for 80, so in addition to their pleasing scent, the candles are a real bargain ranging in price from $10 to $20.

New Bennettsville and Co. vendor Courtney Medlin of Medlin Customs came to the library to sale her and her husband, Anthony Medlin’s wood carving offerings. “I’m the painter and he’s the wood cutter,” explains Courtney. “We do all custom projects- furniture, wood carvings, king size beds, vegetable boxes, chicken brooder boxes, end tables- you name it, we can pretty much do it. You know the Grinch cut outs in the window of Bennettsville and Co.? That’s us,” says Courtney.

Customer Rachel Gowdy said she found many Christmas treasures for her nieces and nephews at both the Sip and Shop and the library.

“I am having a wonderful time. I bought a lot of books and little stocking stuffers for all my nieces and nephews. I can’t believe I have gotten so much of my Christmas shopping done tonight,” said Gowdy, showing off a prized wood carving of a traditional Nativity Scene, reminding us all of the reason for the season.