MMPC Circle plans bazaar Nov. 13
By Sam Waller
Members of Matthews Memorial Presbyrerian Church resume one of Albany’s longest-running events with their annual bazaar after a one-year hiatus.
The event, which is organized by the church’s Sallie Matthews Circle, had been held annually for more than a century before it was cancelled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Sallie Matthews Circle is a group within the church, still called a ‘circle’ like it was decades ago,” coordinator Kalico Leech said. “We’ve been hosting the bazaar for over 100 years.”
This year’s event is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13 in the MMPC Educational Building.
“If the weather cooperates, the Country Store will be outside in the front,” Leech said. “We’re also going to try to do pickup for the take-out meals outside as well so visitors don’t have to come into the building if they prefer not to.”
Leech said the Country Store will offer homemade gift items, home-canned items and baked goods, but no frozen foods this year.
“We usually have a specific push, but we’re just asking our members to bring whatever they like this year,” she said. “We almost always have honey and people who prepare pickles, jams, or hot sauces.”
Leech said there will not be a silent auction this year.
The bazaar raises money to provide assistance to those in need within the community.
“Anyone with a need who comes to us or is brought to our attention, we’d really like to help,” Leech said. “Especially during the holiday season, we like to provide assistance for those who’ve had a hard year or a medical issue.”
She added that the program has provided medical or dental care, clothing, and Christmas gifts for children.
“We have a few charities that we support,” she said. “but we keep 95 percent of the funding local where we can help people in Shackelford County.”
Serving of the traditional turkey and dressing meal starts at 11:00 a.m. in the MMPC fellowship hall.
The old-fashioned dinner, with some recipes that have not changed for decades, is prepared by church members. The menu includes turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish, and assorted homemade pies.
Cost of the meal is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Takeout dinners will also be $10.
