St. Mary market fundraiser on Longboat features holiday finds

By Dana Kampa
| 7:30 a.m. November 17, 2025

Elaine Cichon, Lorri Harrison and Claudia Stieber bring their festive spirit to the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church annual Christmas bazaar, held last weekend at the church.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Holiday cookies and crafts went flying off tables last weekend as shoppers participated in some early-season festivities at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.

The church held its annual Christmas bazaar Nov. 15-16, offering handcrafted ornaments, wreaths and other decorations. The turnout pleased Bonnie Schneider, one of this year's organizers, as shoppers cleared several tables of goods early in the day.

Besides helping residents get in the spirit, the sale supports community activities like the Women's Guild scholarship program.

President Kay Kochenderfer said hurricane support was a main fundraising focus of last year's market.

This year, members are turning their attention to the scholarship fund, which they launched in early 2025. With a well-attended bazaar, Kochenderfer is hopeful they will be able to reach an overall fundraising goal of $120,000.

Questions about donating to the fund can be directed to [email protected] or 626-862-1540.

Longboat Key holiday shoppers quickly scooped up festive decorations at the annual St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Christmas Bazaar last weekend.

Susan DiNatale supported the Christmas bazaar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church with her hand-painted seashell decorations.

Longboaters picked their favorite ornaments, wreaths and Christmas village homes at the Christmas bazaar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church last weekend.

Mary Golia and Jolana Popcak volunteer to help shoppers at the Christmas bazaar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church last weekend.

Diane Monaghan, part of the "Christmas crew" running the church's annual Christmas bazaar, said wreaths were flying off the walls the morning of Nov. 15.

From smiling snowmen to airborne angels, ornaments of every type filled the Christmas bazaar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.

Karen and Richard “Sparky” Pashkow embraced the holidays at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Christmas bazaar on Nov. 15.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.