Christmas comes early to Spruce Pine
Fresh from the success of last month’s Spruce Pine Potters Market, the Cross Street Commercial Center played host last weekend to a crowded preview of the Christmas season.
Now in its third year under the leadership of Abbie Burleson, a young, entrepreneurial business student at Mayland Community College, the Blue Ridge Christmas Craft Stroll turned the Commercial Center into a holiday bazaar, filled with the work of local potters, jewelers, and woodcarvers, along with fresh baked goods, ornaments, cards and stationary, as well as three different coffee stations for hot, festive drinks. There was even a chance for children to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus.
Standing behind a display of her own handmade earrings, Burleson spoke about her reason for establishing the Christmas Craft Stroll.
“There were past Christmas markets in Spruce Pine, though they seemed to disappear after COVID,” she said. “I just felt like the community needed a Christmas festival.”
Spruce Pine potter Ann Thayer was enjoying a brisk business at her stall where she and her grandson Beckett were busily wrapping up purchases of her pots and mugs. In spotting one customer’s purchase of a vase by Thayer, another customer said good-naturedly, “I would have grabbed that one if you hadn’t.”
Instructor Steve Gunter was supervising the Mayland Life Works stall, whose mission is to provide employability skills to adults with special needs and disabilities. Most of the merchandise on sale was also created by Life Works students.
“Over the last few years, the Christmas Craft Stroll has given the students many of the work experience that they need,” Gunter said. “They’re greeting and helping customers, and they’re learning how to handle money and make change. This is an invaluable opportunity for them.”
Christmas is not the only winter holiday to celebrate, of course, and Seth and Michelle Rosenberg from Hendersonville were in town to offer various Hanukkah items that they created.
“This is our third year here,” Seth Rosenberg said. “We love coming back and always feel welcomed.”
While Abbie Burleson was touring the floor in her capacity as the event coordinator, her mother Kim Burleson was managing Abbie’s stall.
“She’s a hard worker,” Kim said of her daughter. “And she loves to promote local craft. You know, Lucy Morgan was one of my relatives. I guess we’ve got Penland in our blood.”