Christmas market spreads cheer in Harmony
HARMONY — The holiday season kicked into high gear with Historic Harmony's annual German-style Christmas market Saturday at the Harmony Museum.
Craft and food vendors were set up outside the museum to celebrate German and other cultures.
Germans were the original settlers in Harmony dating back to 1804.
“It's a way to honor German heritage,” said Rodney Gasch, Historic Harmony president.
Judy Mackenroth of Walnut Ridge Farm in Cabot was busy spinning angora rabbit fibers into hats and other clothing. Angora rabbit fibers are commonly used in Germany.
“It's very convenient in a cold climate because it's eight times warmer than wool,” Mackenroth said.
While other crafts, as well as German food such as sausages and nuts, were being sold, not all the goods there were of a German origin.
Zachary Wolicki of Williamsburg, Va., is a Pittsburgh native who comes to Harmony every year to bring his Gifts of Artel to the market.
His company, with the help of his partner, Valerie, in Russia, brings handcrafted dolls by Russian artists to the United States, including nesting dolls and wooden-carved father frosts.
“Everyone loves the nesting dolls, because everyone had one when they were a kid,” Wolicki said.
The event was dedicated to the memory of John Ruch, the longtime Historic Harmony president who died recently.
John and Linda Musko were selling both food and crafts. While John sold jams, relish and mustard, Linda sold needle-felted wool animal dolls ranging from squirrels and mice to sheep and orangutans.
“I guess it's therapeutic,” she said of making dolls.
Josh and Emily Mitchell of Cranberry Township brought their three children to the market.
“There's a lot of nice vendors and music and food, and the kids like it,” Emily Mitchell said.
Josh Mitchell added, “It starts getting us in the Christmas season.”
Larry Preston and April Whitfield were in town all the way from Chicago, visiting April's mother. They heard about the market and stopped by.
“This is amazing to me,” Whitfield said. “There are things that we can't get in Chicago. It gives you a lot of unique ideas and a lot of good-tasting things.”
Market-goers also were treated to the StrandTastics, a youth chorus which performed a number of songs ranging from Christmas carols to pop hits.
They even sang and choreographed 1980s hits such as “Eye of the Tiger” and “Danger Zone,” led by their teacher, Mary Ann Mangini.
“They loved it,” she said. “I think they show enthusiasm for it because I'm an '80s baby. They catch it, they're open-minded.”
