Two Stories in Greenfield Recorder

Check out Chris Harris' article in the December 4 edition of the Greenfield Recorder:  It’s a wrap: First online church bazaar deemed successful

The Rev. Dr. Molly Scherm, associate rector of the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in Greenfield, works on basting a quilt for the church’s first online Mistletoe Mart, which was deemed a success. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Check out  the coverage of SsJA mentioned in Monday's editorial:  Monday Shorts: Mystery donor has soft spot for homeless where the Recorder staff writes,
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"It’s a brave new world for bazaars:  While some of us are still trying to wrap our minds around Zoom, others are dipping their toes into deeper waters by reimagining traditional events such as holiday bazaars as online “stores.” One of those pioneers was the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew. Their annual Mistletoe Mart migrated online with a catalog of crafts and food that customers could shop for from home. They sold both small items like tote bags and big-ticket items like quilts. It was a successful enough that they may try it again in the spring. That would add a whole ’nother tool to their fundraising toolbox. Similarly, the Northfield Kiwanis held an live, online auction in lieu of their popular Holiday Fair, and other organizations are following suit. This time next year, who knows whether we will be back to normal, with crowded holiday bazaars that happen, a la Brigadoon, on a single day and then vanish? Here’s our prediction: In the future, online events will supplement the traditional bazaars. While you can’t sell things online and in-person at the same time, you could set up an online “week-after” bazaar to give shoppers a second chance to buy what’s still available. Or, you could have a pre-sale to tease interest. Or both! It’s all “new” money — and it’s weatherproof. Kudos to this year’s early adopters of technology for breaking new ground and proving that it can be done."