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Warren Band Boosters craft annual spring fundraiser

By Madeline Scarborough 3 min read

VINCENT -- The Warren High/Middle School Band Boosters held its 6th annual Spring Craft Fair on Saturday.

More than 100 vendors and crafters from the region participated and more than triple that amount came out to support the band by shopping, eating and taking part in a raffle.

Some items that could be found included wooden signs, crocheted or knitted goods, instruments and art.

"My grandma taught me how to crochet as a teen, and I have continued to love it," said Christy Mosier.

Mosier had crocheted dish cloths, soap savers, earrings and animals.

"It takes about an hour and a half to make a reversible octopus… of course that depends on interruptions," she said.

Mosier said she has taught her eldest daughter how to crochet and is working with another of her children on technique.

A few booths over Allen Angle, of Waterford, could be found playing music on one of his handmade mountain dulcimers.

A mountain dulcimer is an Appalachian string instrument.

"I have always been interested in traditional Appalachian music, so I started to create my own instruments," he said.

Angle has made fiddles, banjos and resonator guitars as well.

The event was held in three gymnasiums on the new campus, two in the middle school and one in the high school building and the high school cafeteria.

Over in the high school gymnasium, one booth that stood out was the abstract paintings done by Katrina Matlack.

Matlack is legally blind, but shared that she has always enjoyed expressing herself through art.

"I use techniques such as fluid art, where attention to detail is not necessary, so that I can continue to create pieces," she said.

Matlack said that she finds being able to do artwork therapeutic.

"With such supportive band boosters, school officials and community, there are so many opportunities we can open to these kids," assistant band director Stephen Collins said during their fall event.

Those opportunities, which are all funded with help from events such as the craft fair, include: Two marching bands (football and competition); a symphonic band; three middle school bands (different grades learning before high school); two jazz bands ( one for each high and middle school); a pep band; two winter guards; a winter indoor percussion ensemble and a Musical Engineering Program.

While that list seems like a lot to juggle, Collins said there are different seasons for programs, so many members are part of multiple bands.

"We have a lot of cross over, because of those different seasons and kids can utilize that to learn new instruments or learn to spin a flag or baton," Collins said. "This band is a family and we will work together to teach anyone we can, who wants to learn."

Collins said funds received from events go toward making sure all needs are being met.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com

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