Annual Market on Pond raises money for Dallas nursing center

DALLAS — A rainy Saturday morning wasn’t going to stop the Market on the Pond from raising money for nursing-home residents.

In fact, in 33 years, the market has had to be moved due to rain only twice.

Market on the Pond is held at the Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Situated, of course, around the pond at the center’s grounds, the market is the center’s biggest fundraiser, according to Camille Fioti, director of resident and community services.

“We normally make an average of $20,000 per year,” Fioti said. “The money goes to the residents of the Meadows for special equipment, parties, gifts; all of the extras.”

Despite the early rain, the event was well-attended.

“I think it’s a great turnout,” said Fioti. “It picked up nicely.”

Money for the Meadows is raised through a variety of means, with vendors paying a fee to be involved. There is also a bake sale and book sale sponsored by the Meadows auxiliary.

The bake sale took on a bit of new life this year, with a “Cousin Cookie War” being staged between Amy Belles, assistant volunteer director at the Meadows, and her cousin, Teresa Worth.

Those interested could pay $1 to try a chocolate chip cookie from both of the cousins and vote on which was better. According to Belles, who was later crowned the winner of the cookie war, it grew out of a friendly competition between the cousins.

“People liked the idea; they thought it was fun,” Belles said. “Two people already volunteered to take on the winner next year, so we’ll probably be expanding.”

Fioti said there were a total of 120 vendors, selling a variety of goods, from clothes to crafts.

Then, there was Barry Cebrick, of Larksville, who calls himself the Helmet Guy. He repurposes old football helmets from local teams, converting them into replicas of NFL helmets.

Cebrick says he sells his helmets at a discount at the market, marking them down to $80 from their usual $100. He reported doing very well Saturday, despite acknowledging it’s “not your normal impulse buy.”

“Guys with helmets are like women with shoes,” Cebrick joked.

Helen Telencio, of Wilkes-Barre Township, was able to snag some decorations she plans to use around Christmastime.

“Every year, we come,” she said. “I’m normally able to get a lot of good things.”

This whirligig commanded the scene Saturday morning at the annual Market on the Pond, a fundraiser for the Meadows center in Dallas.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL-06182017-Market-on-Pond-2-2.jpgThis whirligig commanded the scene Saturday morning at the annual Market on the Pond, a fundraiser for the Meadows center in Dallas.

Volunteers and bargain hunters milled around a duck pond Saturday morning, taking advantage of a break in the rain at the annual Market on the Pond in Dallas. It’s a fundraiser for the Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL-06182017-Market-on-Pond-3-2.jpgVolunteers and bargain hunters milled around a duck pond Saturday morning, taking advantage of a break in the rain at the annual Market on the Pond in Dallas. It’s a fundraiser for the Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.