Fair Diddley crowd sees ‘perfect weather’

WOODSTOCK – Shoppers strolled the sunny cobblestone streets of the Square on Sunday, helping to brighten the lives of McHenry County residents in need.

The Mental Health Resource League of McHenry County hosted the 41st Annual Fair Diddley Craft Show.

“That’s what it is all about, touching so many lives,” MHRL President Jim Meyer said. “I’m awestruck by the stories of those requesting funds. When you hear where it all goes to, it’s pretty fantastic. It can be a tearjerker.”

The all-volunteer league, founded in 1967, gives financial aid to mental health-related county agencies providing funding often that they cannot get elsewhere.

More than 350 exhibitors participated in this year’s event, which raised $219,954 last year for 21 agencies, including Adult & Child Rehabilitation Center for McHenry County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Senior Services Associates of McHenry County, and Special Education District of McHenry County.

The song “Imagine” echoed from a wooden flute as couples sipped coffee and dined alfresco at La Petite Creperie.

Nearby, Chris Breitsprecker of Wilmot placed finishing touches on handmade bird houses with the help of a drill and grandson Isaiah Bartz.

“I like what it all goes for,” Breitsprecker said of funds raised for MHRL. “It’s one of the reasons I come back year after year.

Soon after propping the yellow home with dangling rustic stars up for display, Tisha Eisenmenger of Lakemoor admired her purchase.

“We’re on a mission for bird houses,” Eisenmenger said. “This is unique.”

“This show is tradition for us,’’ said Huntley resident Alicia Burtness, back from pushing a portable shopping cart to her car with the friends’ first round of finds. “We’ve been doing this for 15 years.”

The sweet aroma of Completely Nuts’ cinnamon-roasted almonds wafted through the air as Johnsburg’s Dave May gathered with his dad, Joe May, and sons Ryan and Trevor on a park bench near the gazebo.

“It’s perfect weather,” Dave May said, as the boys nibbled from a tall bag of kettle corn. “The wives usually just go, and Mom and Dad like hanging with the grandkids.SDRq

In front of the Opera House, Meyer quickly surveyed attendance and shuffling volunteers as craft show-goers filtered in and out with armfuls of treasures.

“This is phenomenal,” Meyer said. “Whoever did the praying for the weather did a great job.”