Hickman County Arts, Crafts and Book Fair
Saturday, Dec. 1st, 10-3
Brings Out Shoppers
Buying at home is something we all talk about - right before we climb in the car and drive to a big box store or dial up a megasite to do our Christmas shoppong. One small arts group sponsored a "Not Made in China" Fair last Saturday. Clinton, a small town with a disproportionately large number of authors and artists, has a population of a thousand souls on a good day. Many of those folks turned out to buy pottery, papercrafts, woodworking items and to eat, greet and meet friends.
Size hasn't stopped local citizens from forming an arts council, Hickman County Arts Council, that has, over the past two years, sponsored two book fairs, music events, a quilt festival and book signings. For more on the Council, go to .www.hickmancoarts.com
 This year's Fair's theme, "Not Made in China" is the brainchild of Council vice chair and potter Danny Whitlock. The recent wave of recalls and bad news about imports inspired him. Danny uses Hickman County clay in some of his works.
Senior citizen Dorothy Nell Harper’s Poetry - Music for the Soul is the fourth book of poetry she has published since she started at the youthful age of 84. Dorothy Nell, a prolific poetic rhymer shares her love of music and her love of poetry in this, her last book (she says now). And just in case you’ve been living someplace other than Clinton for the past three years, her other books will also be offered for sale.
 My Friend, Jesus, Daily Devotions & Artwork by Marie H. Jackson. Marie is back with thirty one days of poems, prayers, short stories and bible verses for parents to share with their young ones. Marie’s friends, former baseball player Doug Flynn, Dorothy Nell Harper, Ben Rushing, UK basketball player, and others, share their personal witness in words that very young ones can understand. Marie includes bible verses for memorization, blank pages that invite artistic endeavors by small hands and art throughout the book by young people. A keepsake book for every one of who’s a child at heart.
Egbert, the Acrophobic Eagle is the latest Paducah resident Herbert Martin's picture book and the one most likely to add words to your little one’s vocabulary. Martin, a retired teacher, tackles fears this time. In this post 9/11 world, this seems particularly appropriate. In rhyme, he tells the story of Egbert who would like to fly, but “Egbert tried it, for a quick, tiny bit. But he felt it too high, he alit quickly and quit”. Egbert’s father and mother help him solve his problem in a way you won’t expect. 
 The Rain: a Story of Noah and the Ark by Chris Skates and Dan Tankersley is a novel of the Great Flood and Noah and his family’s journey of faith. Author Dan Tankersley Dan Tankersley has developed more than three hundred discipleship training classes that he uses to teach Biblical topics. His strong interest in and decade-long research of the first eleven chapters of Genesis led to the development of this novel.. The Rain: a Story of Noah and the Ark gives the Old Testament family flesh and blood. Their struggle with the pain of losing friends and family and of living day by day in a very scary time is a story for today. Dan and Chris were at the Fair to personalize their book.
Hickman County High will bring copies of their book on veterans to the Fair.
The Historical Society will have their cookbook, Cooking With Our Ancestors, and a selection of their helpful genealogical texts.
Arts and Crafts at the Fair
In a step toward supporting a wider variety of the arts in the region, artists and craftspeople will be on hand with their works. Local offerings include stocking stuffers and big gifts for the whole family. Meet the artists. Ask questions about materials and methods and get handcrafted items to grace any home. Here are the craftspeople signed up to participate.
 Sheri Roberts, an active Arts Council member, whose most recent public work was a collaboration with Danny Whitlock on the Quilt Square lost in the pool hall fire, will bring Christmas ornaments, cards and other Christmas gift items for sale.
Randall and Sharon Mullins, The Cathouse Studio, of Bardwell, (photo above) will have wood carvings and oil paintings available. The Mullins will have an assortment of useful and decorative arts.
Danny Whitlock, vice chairperson of the Arts Council, brings his pottery to the Fair. A popular Christmas gift and sought after wedding present, Danny’s pieces are crafted from a blend of local clays, which add value to them as hometown keepsakes.
Willis and Linda Ward, (photo at left) The Woodshed,share their intricate scrollwork wood creations, baskets and intarsia – which are pieces made from different woods for a multi textured, multicolored wooden items. Their intricate wood pieces brought oohs and ahs from shoppers. The two at left are scrollworks of the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary.
Denise Berryhill and Briarwood Gardens offer herbal products grown and produced here in our own backyard. Denise’s lovely, all natural products make great gifts.
Lynne Deweese creates calligraphy gifts that say “you are special” to anyone who receives one. Cards from Lynne are local and lovingly crafted.
James V. Chaney, KY Birdhouses, brings an unusual twist on an old favorite. Come and see (and buy) James’ license plate birdhouses. Nothing says home like a birdhouse from our own county.
Maryanna Weatherford will have her oil paintings on display and for sale at the Fair.
Virginia Young, of Clinton, will offer her oil paintings and pastels for sale
Janet Slayden and sister, Lisa Schraw, "Two Sisters Handmade Creations" Christmas ornaments and more.
Last, but never least, defying simple description -
The Hickman County Museum - with cards and bricks and various and sundry goodies.
Ivan Potter returned to the Fair with his depiction of the Civil War Battle of Belmont and a selection of books from Clark Publishing Company - including Sylvia Lovely's books on improving cities, One Tank Trips, a tour guide to Kentucky Civil War sites and the Kentucky Almanac.
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