Spirit of the Old West will be found at Country Fair

Old West traditions will be part of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration's Country Fair & Art Show, to be held August 12-13.

Mustang horses, America's national heritage, once again will make their appearance along with members of the Northwest Regional Spinner's Association. The spinners will be demonstrating their ancient craft of spinning.

Nochecita, who wowed fairgoers last year, will once again be on hand to demonstrate her artistic painting talents. "Cita," as her owner Sandy Klein calls her, has a special talent for paining original art. Cita is a 14-year-old, formerly wild mustang mare rounded up and adopted when she was two years old from the Bureau of Land Management in the Northern Nevada Range.

Among the mustangs will be Blessing, a rescue yearling filly who was orphaned and found starving during a capture in Nevada. Her owners, Roger and Gayla Nelson of Sisters, are currently having her treated at Bend Equine Medical Center for injuries sustained during her capture. Blessing is looking forward to lots of loving hands to come by, pet her and say hi. Another yearling rescue mustang filly, Misty, owned by Rebecca King, will be on hand to capture the hearts of all who pay her a visit.

Northwest Regional Spinners Association (NWRSA) serves spinners in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The purpose of NWRSA is to promote awareness and the art and craft of handspinning in the community at large. Members help individuals to build on spinning techniques, materials processing, dying and other related skills. The goal is to share, learn and keep the craft alive. Fairgoers will learn more about this ancient craft and meet the ladies whose passion it is and who love to share their knowledge and skills.

Mollie Eder, of Powell Butte, said, "I love the creative outlet spinning provides in not only the spinning of the fiber, but in the preparing of the fiber, and the designing of the finished project. I also love being an ambassador for handspinning by participating in fairs and being in other public venues."

Eder will be one of the spinners demonstrating her skills and sharing her talent at the Fair.

In addition to a variety of other animals, there will be children's games and activities. The fair offers something for all the family: Great lunch items and desserts, arts and crafts, books, homemade baked goods, jams and chutneys and fresh produce at the Country

Store.

The Country Fair & Art Show takes place on Saturday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 68825 Brooks Camp Rd. just off Highway 242. The art show and silent auction begin one day earlier, August 12. Admission is free; all proceeds go to local service organizations.