Found in Fallon: The Sage Brush Sisters Christmas Boutique

by Kathleen Williams-Miller I absolutely love the holidays! Fallon’s Maine Street is so festive with lights covering all the trees and the magnificent giant Christmas tree gracing the main entrance. Christmas cheer is in the air! The weekend that truly kicks off the season for me is right around the corner. On Dec. 6 the tree is lit, and the downtown becomes a festival with fireworks, cocoa, and singing. For two days, Dec. 6 and 7, Fallon’s Old Post Office is transformed into an incredible crafters’ boutique. The Sage Brush Sisters present an amazing array of handmade crafts representing local Northern Nevada artists. They will be open Friday 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. The Sage Brush Sisters was formed 11 years ago by artists Judy Carlson, Sylvia Howes, and April Oakden who dreamed of selling their art. At first, they set up art on their lawn and then they displayed their art at the Slanted Porch. From humble beginnings, it has grown into a cooperative of local artists who sponsor craft shows periodically throughout the year. It was always envisioned to be a non-profit community service that would allow artists to show and sell their art. This endeavor is truly a cooperative venture because each artist who displays donates a piece of art that is given to organizations around town for fundraising purposes. In the past the library and the foster children program have benefitted. The present board consists of five key members: Judy Carlson, Liza Detomasi, Vicki Detomasi, Jeanne Evatt, and Kim Rowlett. This will be their 11th annual show. Each year they plan around a theme and this year’s theme is Winter Wonderland. You can expect to be transported to winter wonderfulness. There is no admission fee to attend, and some of the most delightful things you will find immediately when you enter the post office are the free homemade cookies and hot cider. As part of the coop, each artist that displays is required to supply two dozen homemade cookies and the variety is staggering. Another great perk is you also get a chance to meet the artists because each vendor is required to donate two hours of work. Actually, most of the artists are there to meet and greet because it’s a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors in a festive-fun setting. The money that the vendors pay for their space goes to off-set the cost of the set-up, insurance, and facility. They also have a raffle and this year all of the proceeds will be going to pancreatic cancer research in honor of Terri Calleas who was one of the Sage Brush Sisters. The art community was greatly saddened by her loss. Over the years, I have enjoyed meandering through the rooms looking at all the interesting handmade crafts. With Christmas on the way you can find great affordable boutique gifts that are unique and handmade by a local craftsperson. Last year there was such a variety of goods I had to make several trips through the shop to see everything, and yes, I did find extraordinary gifts. Hopefully, I’ll see you there because I’m going to eat some homemade cookies and sip spicy cider as I wander through the Winter Wonderland.       Never miss a meeting or community event – keep an eye on the community calendar at https://www.thefallonpost.org/events/ If you like what we’re doing, please support our effort to provide local, independent news and contribute to The Fallon Post, your online news source for all things Fallon.