Holiday extravaganza to aid historic window restoration

Sparta - The Institute for Spiritual Development, 15 Sparta Ave., will hold a “Holiday Extravaganza” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, to raise funds to restore the windows in the building, which formerly housed the Sparta United Methodist Church. The theme for this year’s extravaganza is “Something for everyone!” Quality items for purchase include home and personal accessories, holiday decorations, books, and estate jewelry. There will also be a “white elephant” table. Artists and crafters will be on hand with knitted and crocheted items, a hand-stitched quilt, pottery, jewelry, paintings and drawings, etc. The ISD bookstore, which offers a large selection of metaphysical books and a variety of gifts, will be open during the extravaganza. All proceeds will benefit the Window Fund and will be used to restore the historic stained glass windows in the historic former church, built in 1868. 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 beautiful Tiffany lily can be found on the windows along with other design features indicative of the Tiffany style. 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. The public is invited to visit the Institute, view the windows, browse, shop, and support the window restoration. For information, call 973-726-3239.