Above: The preschool class visits with the fire department on a field trip this year. far left: Preschooler Valentina Rendon smiles for the camera.

For the practical minded, there’s nothing quite so comforting as finding not one, but several birds in a bush.

The Preschool Bazaar held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving provides all kinds of gifts – homemade crafts, Christmas ornaments, canned food, pottery, jewelry – all perfect for the holiday season. Plus it’s all located in one spot, it’s among friends and one can catch up on community happenings, and 15 percent of the proceeds go to a very good cause: the preschool program within the Children’s Center.

“We’ll be serving home-made soup, squash soup made with local squash, pizza and bread along with the bake sale, rice crispy treats, brownies, cheesecake,” Andrea Dupuis, this year’s bazaar coordinator commented. “This is where we make most of our money that helps support the preschool program.”

A raffle will also be conducted.

“We have the most amazing raffle this year,” Dupuis said. “We have upwards of 30 prizes which we are very excited about. Gift certificates from local restaurants, a two night stay at the Marina Inn in Anacortes, and a massage from Heidi Strong. The Roush family is giving away a pizza party for ten and T2 Charters is doing a two hour charter. Also Cascadia Kayak Tours is giving a two hour lesson, and the list just goes on from there.”

This year there will also be a kid’s corner, which features face-painting, puzzles, stories, balloons, and different activities for children. Admission is free and the bazaar, which includes the food, bake sale, and kid’s corner is being held in the multi-purpose room from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. There are over 80 vendors this year, and they will be located inside the school gymnasium.

And 100% of the proceeds of the raffle from the Preschool Bazaar go to the preschool program within the Children’s Center.

The Lopez Children’s Center is the umbrella organization for both the preschool and the Play and Learn (PAL) program. “We are here to provide an environment which nurtures the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of young children and their families,” director of the Children’s Center, Jane Hobbs, commented.

If you would like to enroll your child in the preschool or PAL program, call the Children’s Center at 468-3896 or stop by the facility in Lopez Village next to the Community Center.

“The magic of the Coop Preschool is that it takes a group of parents with a wide array of backgrounds and abilities and it brings them together to create a board that keeps the preschool running, as well as allows the parents to participate in their child’s education and development,” Susan Corbin, former Director of the preschool, said.

The bazaar is a wonderful opportunity to do a little early holiday shopping while having a good time with your neighbors. So remember, come early and shop till you drop-locally!