![[Shelbyville Times-Gazette]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (5)
 Bell Buckle's Rodney Simmons, left, and Jenny Hunt, right, present Barbara Coffelt with the Best in Show award for her stained glass landscape. Coffelt has been a regular exhibitor at the Webb School Arts and Crafts Fair for many years. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge] |
"Sometimes, you just say 'Thank you!'" she said. "I believe this is the smoothest the show has ever gone."
The show committee had concerns prior to the big weekend.
"You plan and you plan and you plan -- but how can you plan for the big slide the economy took two weeks before the show? We've been kind of holding our breaths," said Hunt. "But the show must go on."
Hunt said early estimates indicate the crowd was even bigger than last year's. But a bigger surprise was how the visitors were shopping.
"It seemed this year people were going more for the finer, high-end things at the Webb show than the low-end items found at other sites. You just never know," she said.
Michael Morgan, the new director of alumni and development at Webb, was also pleased with the show.
"I haven't been down there in years -- a lot has changed," he said. "I went down there Saturday and there was a big crowd. On Sunday, it wasn't as big. It was the perfect weather for it, that's for sure."
The local groups who park cars as fundraisers, such as the volunteer fire department, did well, she said, and because all parking lots had prices clearly marked, there was less confusion and smoother traffic than in previous years. She did note more carpoolers this year than before.
The exhibitors were also pleased with the show, said Hunt.
"One woman was at a show in Mississippi last weekend," she said. "She told me by noon Saturday, she'd exceeded her sales from that entire weekend."
Another regular exhibitor, Barbara Coffelt, was especially glad she came to the Webb show this year. The stained glass artist had been on a waiting list for another prestigious show in Arkansas for the same weekend and when a slot opened up, she had to choose. Because she has always sold well at Bell Buckle, she came back to the Webb fair -- and won Best in Show with a landscape piece.
"She's always won awards," said Hunt. "Always a bridesmaid, but this time she was the bride!"
The show granted $1,400 in prizes this year. The Headmaster's Choice went to painter Jason Helms and the Webb School Collection award went to Jodi Reeves, also a painter. Both winners were first-time exhibitors at Webb. Reeves' painting "Whisper" will go on display at Webb.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
In the spirit of full disclosure:
I serve alongside Hunt as an Alderman and member of the Bell Buckle Park Board.
I feel the need to address the contentions raised by not amused.
First, I think there may be a misconception regarding the funding of the Bell Buckle Park, specifically, the amphitheater. The Park is an entity separate from the Town and receives no funding from the Town. All funding comes from private donations, state and national grants, fund-raising events, such as the recent well-received BBQ cook-off and a 1/2 cent sales tax that was adopted by the Town under the previous administration.
Second, my experience with Mrs. Hunt is one of a wholly different sort than that of not amused. I have found Hunt to be a tireless worker for the community. I would challenge not amused to produce another individual that has personally championed the number of quality community projects that she has. Reference was made to "selfish and grossly mismanaged" projects, but the ones that come to my mind, projects spearheaded by Hunt, are the rehabilitation of the Town's sidewalks (slated to begin in 2009/2010), refurbishing of the Town's public restrooms, and the creation of the Bell Buckle Park (which recently was honored by the State as the top project of its kind). I simply cannot agree with the sentiment that these projects are either selfish or grossly mismanaged.
not amused and I can agree on one thing. Hunt is very strong-willed and driven. However, as this sort of energy is directed towards service community minded projects, I think our community would only be stronger and more grounded if we all possesed just half of the same.
Well- cascade mama- you must have never disagreed with Mrs Joe Hunt, because if you had, you'd see the real Mrs Hunt appear. Not kind or wonderful, but very vindictive and rude. If anyone in Bell Buckle tries to go against her agenda, they are black balled,shunned and nasty slanderous rumors are spread around town about them by Mrs Hunt and cohorts.
She certainly has you snowed! She does nothing selflessly- all moves are calculated by this power crazed and controlling woman. Unfortunately, she and her cronies are running the town into the ground with their selfish and grossly mismanaged projects- like the stage in the park. WAY over budget!! And not wanted in the first place.
The attendance at the craft fair last weekend was WAY DOWN- anyone who has attended in past years could attest to that. Mrs Hunt and other Chamber members have always simply made up Positive PR spin to feed to Mary Reeves for her articles. I wish Mrs Reeves would talk to other Bell Bucklians and get a new perspective.
Since the current fair committee has taken over, the quality of the crafts at the fair has diminished every year- talented artists and crafts people refuse to associate their work with the junk being sold, or deal with the inept way the fair is run and the lack of professionalism shown by Mrs Hunt and other Chamber members involved. I think most people who want a real craft fair experience will be heading to Woodbury from now on.
What a ridiculous and ugly thing to say, previous poster. Jenny Hunt is a wonderful person who is so hardworking and selfless in all of the community activities she's part of. Bell Buckle is extremely fortunate to benefit from her energy. Besides that, she's friendly, kind, and fun, and a wonderful parent.
The craft fair was a huge success this year, thanks largely to Jenny Hunt and others, like Linda Simmons, who helped Jenny with setup, and the countless people who contributed their time to this weekend. It's a really big project and no one pays these people for all of their hard work. It's a labor of love and Bell Buckle residents, along with all the visitors to the fair, reap the rewards.
Jenny Hunt is a joke!