Annual Christmas Shop to Benefit Hospital

As the leaves begin to turn, the weather becomes cooler and the thoughts of the holidays, "around the corner" are on the minds of many, Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary will sponsor its 32nd annual Christmas Shop to benefit the Hosptial at the Sgt. John Newnam Armory, 509 Cross Street (Route 289 south) in historic Chestertown.  This year's event will be held Friday, October 8 through Sunday, October 10, 1999.  Operating hours for the Christmas Shop are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Sunday.  The opening on Sunday is due to popular requests from last year's shoppers.  On Thursday evening, October 7, a Patron's Preview Party will be held at the Armory from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Admission for this event is $25.00.

This year's Christmas extravaganza features 17 shops along with our local Hospital Gify Shop and Hospital Auxiliary "farmer's market" selling their wares during the three day event.  Fifteen percent of the sales goes directly to to purchasing equipment for the Hospital.  The group of vendors supporting the Hospital this year includes past favorites as well as seven newcomers.  They are:

Campus Peddler of Macungie, PA, specializing in 100% wool and cotton handknit sweaters;  Cathy Hart Jewelery from Baltimore, MD, will be seeling jewelry and decorative boxes made from antique Chinese pottery and semiprecious gemstones;  Cherchies, LTD. of Malvern, PA, offers gourmet mustards, seasonings, soupmixes and other taste delights; Crimson and Clover, from Irvington, NY, will entice us with an extensive and well-priced collection of 14K and 18K Italian gold and sterling silver; Ehrman Tapestry, from Ellicott City, MD, will ofer elegant needlepoint kits by talented British designers; Ermilio's Clothiers of Paoli, PA, will offer custom classic and traditional clothing for men and women; Flanagan's Fancy of York Harbor, ME will offer totes, handbags, garmet bags, pillows and table runners made from tapestry, silks and satins; Jay Originals from Wayland, MA, will be selling handmade porcelain ornaments, dolls, and Santas; Le Papillon of Rumson, NJ, will be offering ladies' clothing, accessories, and gifts; Multiplicity, from Natick, MA, specializing in the American Girl collection as well as Bitty, will offer clothing, furniture, and accessories for these dolls; Nancy N., of Salisbury, MD, will sell traditional ladies' clothing, fur and cashmere coats, suede jackets, skirts and pants; Neuchatel Chocolates, of Oxford, PA, will entice shoppers with fine Swiss chocolates and confections, including truffles, foil wrapped chocolates leaves, Santas, Angels, golf sets, animals, and more; Rowena's, in Norfolk, VA, are creators and producers of gourmet foods including favorfulpound cakes, toppings, sauces, and seasonings; Silverbird, of Baltimore, MD, will sell fine silver jewelry, hand decorated ceramic pieces as well as dried wreaths and table decorations;  The Romantic Room, from Bar Harbor, ME, will display a contemporary country collection of gifts for the home; The Shadow Box, of Salisbury, MD, will be selling jewelry, hair accessories and handmade hats; and last, but certainly not least, Unique Gifts for Children, of Skillman, NJ, will delight us with hand-crafted creations for all ages.  The Gift Shop of Chester River Hospital Center will be seeling moderately priced gifts for all ages, including but not limited to, Christmas ornaments, children's books, jewelry, and toys.  Our own Auxiliary "Farmer's Market", will be offering a delicious assortment of homemade cakes, pies, cookies, jams, jellies, preserves, herbs,and more during the three day event.

Another feature to the Christmas Shop this year is a $10,000 Raffle Prize.  The winning ticket will be drawn during the event.   These tickets can be purchased for $25.00 from any Hospital Auxiliary member, the Hospital Gift Shop, or at the Hospital's front desk.

The proceeds from this year's fund raising event will benefit the people in our community requiring surgical and radiological services at the hospital by purchasing three new peices of equipment for these departments.  These purchases include a SHaver System, a Navigator Gamma System and an Ultrasound Probe. 

The Shaver System will be used to in the operating room during arthroscopic procedures.  This instrument is used to shave away or smooth damaged cartilage in joints.  This system will replace the current unit, which is 10 years old and uses obsolete technology.

The Navigator Gamma System will also be used in the operating room and will allow the surgeon to trace a radioactive dye in the lymph system to detect the spread of cancer.  It will prevent radical lymph node dissections in patients with breast cancer and malignant melanoma.

The final purchase will be a ultrasound Probe.   This instrument will be used on children and smaller patients to give greater detail on the images obtained of the abdomen. kidneys, etc.

Admission to the Christmas Shop, the auxiliary's primary fund raising event of the year, will be $2.00 for each adult and $1.00 for students.  Lunch will be available daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.   Parking is free and the Armory is handicapped accessible.  For more information, call 410-348-5697.  

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