By Linda Lou Crosby

The First Annual Gumbo Country Christmas took place at the Tri-Rec Center in Ingomar, MT, Saturday, December 12th, and there was something for everyone. Ingomar resident and professional photographer Hart Broesel, who had never attended a bazaar of any kind before, stepped inside Ingomar's Tri-Rec Center, and was amazed, "This is quality on every level." So Hart got busy talking to each vendor, and admiring their wares. There was everything from shoes, mittens, books by cowboy Poet Owen Badgett, notecards, rugs, antique bottles with sea shells from the California Coast, fur and fur handling tools, one-of-a kind handmade tack, custom made furniture, custom made jewelry - diamond art- specialty blankets and more, crocheted items from cup warmers, bowl warmers, semi-gloves, Christmas specialties, to "Lovies", and more; handmade Christmas ornaments and beautifully crafted wreaths. Vendors came from Ingomar, Forsyth, Miles City, Vananda and Hysham.

Visitors were also treated to lunch by Elida Thom of Hysham, with either walking tacos or polish dogs. Photos with Santa (Joel Ericksen) were taken by KC Photography, Katlan Cain, from Miles City. There were goody bags for any youngster who came to the bazaar...and adults who visited Santa got one too! Ingomar's Johnna Newman coming in from the cold outside, set about making coffee, which was greatly appreciated.

The event was hosted by Emily Olson, "The vendors were amazing to work with," said Emily. LaDawna Ericksen brought her wares from Diamonds in the Gumbo, "I loved the variety of crafts and gifts. Santa being there was awesome." (Rumor has it that LaDawna had to do some fast talking to encourage husband Joel to be Santa.) And he played the part perfectly. Youngsters were keen on Susie Webber's crocheting products. They especially admired a tooth, with a pocket in it, for the tooth fairy. Susie gave each one a crocheted red stocking as a surprise.

Hart made sure he got his photo with Santa, made a plan to visit the Rustic Savage Gypsy Carnival in Roundup to have them make him a custom table, munched on a giant polish dog, and purchased a pretty large candy cane wreath made by Wendy Todd. As he left the Tri-Rec Center, Hart was definitely a Christmas Bazaar convert. "We gotta get the word out," said Hart, "This is the place to get Christmas gifts next year!"