Stillwater Senior Center presents 'Baubles, Bangles & Bobbers'

The Stillwater Senior Center will host its sixth annual fundraiser, Baubles, Bangles & Bobbers, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.

People will have the chance to rummage through and purchase jewelry and homemade desserts from the bake sale at 2300 W. Orleans St. in Stillwater.

"It's the best sale of the year for just about everyone, but it's particularly suited to the accessories-challenged and frugal," event organizers said in a release. "Baubles, Bangles & Bobbers features funky used jewelry and purses in almost endless variety, plus a bake sale to tempt the wise shopper who knows it's almost impossible to 'outgrow' a classy pair of earrings."

Also, new this year is a "men's room" offering fishing gear and memorabilia for men, who will finally have a feature of their own at this event.

As the Senior Center's biggest annual fundraiser, this sale raised $5,000 last year to support various programs, activities and speakers for area senior citizens, according to Senior Program Director Karla Bataglia. She added that a successful sale is more important than ever this year when donations to non-profits are down due to the poor economy.

Approximately 75 volunteers have been involved in preparations for the sale, and many will be on hand to assist shoppers as clerks and cashiers at the event.

Donated jewelry is sorted, evaluated and priced by volunteers, who include former local jeweler Jeff Sherburne and antiques dealer Sandra Bjorndahl. Local jewelry maker Lonnie Lovness donates the use of small, yellow boxes for shoppers.

Shoppers will find bracelets, necklaces, chains, earrings (screw, clip-on and pierced), pins, matching sets, rings, watches, children's, holiday, religious and vintage jewelry, all at bargain basement prices. Tables are replenished throughout the day of the sale "so shoppers can come anytime and be assured of finding a great buy," organizers said.

Community Thread (formerly Community Volunteer Service and Senior Centers) is a nonprofit human service agency that has been in existence since 1967.