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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE dlwhite@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2008

BRANDON - Unlike pumpkin pie, which is best served with a dollop of whipped cream, or a haunted house that can always be capped off with one more scary gimmick, some holiday traditions just can't be topped.

At least that has been the experience for members of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church who don't see any reason to mess with a good thing.

With their annual pumpkin patch fundraiser, which benefits the church's youth groups, and the St. Andrew's United Methodist Woman's Fall Craft Fair, which is celebrating its 40th year, craft fair chairwoman Mary Jane Trimble figures the church has found an ideal way to help the community celebrate fall.

Each year, the two activities attract hundreds of visitors to the church. Some are in search of the perfect pumpkin. Others visit with school field trips and enjoy storytelling amid the pumpkins. Still others come for a chance to sell and buy fall crafts, gifts and decorations in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season.

Some simply want to get out and socialize with friends after a long, hot summer spent inside air-conditioned buildings.

"It's become part of the community's fiber. The pumpkins always come in at the beginning of October and have become the first sign of autumn in the area," said Marjorie Carlson, a member of the St. Andrew's craft fair committee. "The craft fair is a good complement to the pumpkin patch."

The annual pumpkin patch will be open through Oct. 31. Hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Pumpkin prices range from $4 to $20.

Each Saturday, the church's youth ministry holds family-related activities.

The craft fair will be a one-day event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 on the church grounds and inside the activities hall.

Residents will have a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind crafts from well-known crafters and artisans and other vendors who will set up outdoor booths.

Crafters interested in renting a booth may call Trimble at (813) 689-2572.

In the Family Life Center, church members again will open Mission Cafe and offer homemade chicken salad sandwiches, chili and black beans and rice.

Visitors can search for donated treasures in Granny's Attic, sponsored by the St. Andrew's Friendship Circle, or pick up homemade cakes, pies and cookies at the annual bake sale. The entire congregation gets involved in the bake sale, with members challenging one another to concoct the best confections.

"The bake sale is my favorite part," Carlson said, adding that she once again will make her popular "severed finger cookies" for Halloween. "All the church participates. There are so many yummy things. It's hard to choose."

All the October events are free, and money raised through sales will be used for local and international mission projects.

St. Andrew's will culminate the autumn celebration at 6 p.m. Nov. 2, when the community is invited to enjoy Jazz Under the Stars. The band Jazz Legacy will play old favorites and new arrangements.

Families are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy coffee and other drinks donated by local vendors.

St. Andrew's is at 3315 Bryan Road in Brandon. For information, visit www.standrews brandon.org or call (813) 689-6849.

GET YOUR GOURDS

The annual pumpkin patch at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road, will be open through Oct. 31.

Hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Pumpkin prices range from $4 to $20.

Each Saturday, the church's youth ministry hosts family-related activities.

ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR

The craft fair will be a one-day affair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 on the church grounds and inside the activities hall.

Residents will have a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind crafts from well-known crafters and artisans and other vendors who will set up outdoor booths. Crafters interested in renting a booth may call chairwoman Mary Jane Trimble at (813) 689-2572.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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