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“Okra Angels and Other Heavenly Gals”
The angels caught my eye as I wandered among the Crafty Ladies at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kannapolis on Monday. They are almost always there at the church on Monday mornings, these heavenly gals. These artists toil away, crafting clever items for sale at their annual Crafty Ladies Bazaar. The angels that grabbed my attention are crafted from dried okra pods--one of my favorite foods. The ladies apply their ingenuity and shazam!, the angelic creations seem ready to take flight!
I have had a long-time love of okra. Back when we were developing our current United Methodist Hymnal, a dear friend of mine was chairman of the project. I wrote a “Hymn to Okra” and submitted it for consideration. Bishop Reuben Job wrote me back a gracious letter declining to accept my submission. I keep hoping some other denomination will put it in their hymnal. Maybe the Episcopalians will take it. One of the most heart-breaking news stories I ever saw was about a truck loaded with marijuana hidden under a couple of tons of okra. It was apprehended by the long arm of the law. They set fire to the entire load. I was glad to see the pot go up in smoke. However, I would have put the scoundrels who ruined all that okra under the jail!
Every good Southern-fried cook knows that okra needs to be cooked before it gets too large and tough. But if the pods do get too hard for cooking and they fall into the artsy hands of the Crafty Ladies, they'll be transformed into pretty little angels.
This faithful bunch has been at it for 26 years. They are a great asset to Trinity Church. The proceeds from the annual sale of the items they produce is now approaching $200,000 through the years! The list of projects that they have helped make possible at Trinity is impressive indeed. For example, the renovation of the church parlor, curtains for the stage, pads for the pews--the bottom line (so to speak) is that if the church needs something done, the Crafty Ladies are likely to help out.
They are a lively social bunch as well as willing workers. They are sewers (ladies who do needle work--not plumbing devices!), painters and makers of small craft items. They are: Frankie Brinkley, Doris Buchanan, Phyllis Byrd, Shirley Gray, Gail Payne, Margie Payne, Dot Query, Phyllis Ritchie, Ruby Swing, and Faye York. Margie Spry continues to contribute silk flower arrangements and painted items even though she now lives in Taylorsville. If you are one with willing hands and a generous heart, they'll gladly make a place for you at their table.
Now, it's that time again for CRAFTY LADIES ANNUAL BAZAAR! On Saturday, November 7, from 8 A.M. until Noon you can come and enjoy the goodies they have made. Come for Breakfast. Come for Shopping. Come for Fellowship with Friends. Look for me at the table where they will be selling the fried apple pies. I won't be helping out…I'll be eating!
Oh, did I tell you how, when you're among the Crafty Ladies, your health is in good hands? Recently I was hanging out with them and fell ill. I fainted. Shirley Gray, who used to be a nurse, revived me while the ambulance came. She did it by slapping me in the face. Now I'm trying to prevent my wife Judy from learning about this. I'm afraid that every time I nap off in my easy chair, she will take advantage of the opportunity to follow Shirley's example! And if you see Shirley slap me again, it won't be because I've been fresh with her. I may have just felt a little faint!
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