Holiday Bazaar to benefit historic window restoration

SPARTA - A Holiday Bazaar, Craft Show, White Elephant, Silent Auction and Bake Sale will be held at The Institute for Spiritual Development, 15 Sparta Avenue, on Friday Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be hand made gifts galore plus custom made art jewelry by AJW Design, ponchos by Knitting B, scarves for all ages, unique pottery, designer clothing, hand beaded creations and more. The Silent Auction will be held both days and will offer hand made gift items as well as art pieces. Also planned is a large “White Elephant” section. All proceeds will benefit the Window Fund and will be used to restore the historic stained glass windows in the church. The stained glass windows are believed to have been created in the Tiffany/LeFarge method and made in the late nineteenth century by the Lewis Tiffany Company. The Tiffany lily can be found on the windows along with other design features indicative of the Tiffany style. Built in 1868, the building is formerly the home of the Sparta United Methodist church. The building was the first to be placed on the register of the town’s historical buildings by the Sparta Historical Society. “The Institute for Spiritual Development is making every concerted effort to maintain the historical integrity of the building,” said J. Edward Fritsch, president of the Sparta Historical Society. All are invited to visit the Institute, view the windows, munch on baked goods, shop, and support the window restoration.