THE CULLMAN TIMES | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012
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Bloomin’ Festival set for April 21-22 ST. BERNARD MEDIA RELATIONS
The Benedictine community of monks of St. Bernard Abbey will welcome more than 140 artists and craftsmen from across the United States to demonstrate and display their handiworks. Against the backdrop of stone-cut buildings surrounded by beautiful flowering dogwoods and azaleas, St. Bernard is proud to host one of the South’s top festivals – the 28th annual Bloomin’ Festival arts and crafts fair. “Little did we know that a small school community like St. Bernard Prep could become a destination stop for thousands of visitors,” said festival director, Joyce Nix. “The Bloomin’ Festival has become a tradition in Cullman for the past 27 years, and the 28th promises to continue the tradition.” “I remember when we start-
ed the show 27 years ago. We blazed a trail through Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi looking for quality artists. The Bloomin’ Festival quickly became a favorite in the southeast,” Nix said. “We are very selective about the quality and the quantity of each booth,” continued Nix. “We take only the finest artists and craftspeople, and bring them together for a premier showcase of talent.” The Bloomin’ Festival features demonstrations by a blacksmith, glassblower and potter. It also features personalized gift items, items for the home and garden, handmade quilts, birdhouses, clothing for ladies and children, toys, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, and raisin bread baked by the local Please see FESTIVAL Page 3
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One of many popular treat booths every year is the Roasted Almonds - with such a variety of flavors, there’s bound to be a favorite with most nut lovers.
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The Bloomin’ Festival 2011 in full swing.
FESTIVAL FROM PAGE 2 monks. An added attraction for 2012 is a corn gristmill where children and their parents can shuck corn and turn it into grits or cornmeal. On Saturday, April 21, there will be a 5K/10K Race through St. Bernard Abbey’s Treasure Forest. The running trails meander through stands of tall pine and hardwood trees, across deepwoods meadows and conclude on the athletic fields of the school. To register, visit www.bloominfestival.com. At the conclusion of the festival a drawing for a 2012 Jeep Patriot, two nights at Zoder’s Inn in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and many other valuable prizes will be held. Adjacent to the festival, one can visit Ave Maria Grotto, a four acre garden park created by Benedictine monk, Brother Joseph Zoettl. In this quiet setting, a visitor can view Br. Joseph’s miniature replicas of the Coliseum of Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the
first century town of Jerusalem, the missions of California and over 100 other sites from around the world. “Ave Maria Grotto is a wonderful place to visit during the festival,” Nix said. “The Grotto is a premier example of American Folk Art and fits perfectly into the theme of our festival. People can see how Brother Joseph meticulously crafted concrete with tile, glass, marbles, costume jewelry and a whole array of material to make his creations. It is a favorite stop for visitors to our Bloomin’ Festival.” The Bloomin’ Festival is April 21-22, 2012. An admission donation of $5 is requested at the gate. Children ages 5 and under are free. Admission to Ave Maria Grotto is reduced to $3 the entire weekend. For more information, visit www.bloominfestival.com or www.facebook.com/bloominfestival.
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Brother Thomas Jones prepares another batch of monks’ bread.
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St. Bernard Students attending the annual March For Life in Washington D.C. include:J.C. Albritton, Shelby Bailey, Jade Bradford, Michayla Brown, Ben Chiodo, Nathan Cline, Audrey Cofield, Nathan Denson, Nate Durkee, Ria Foye, Anna Keefe, Danielle Klopfer, Rita Lappert, Taylor Martin, Elizabeth McAfee, Mark McDaniel, Sean Moriarty, Andrea Naranjo, James Nix, John Russell, Michael Schartung, John Schneider, Madeline Schweers, Austin Steele, Caitlin Varquez, Michael Justin Varquez, Anthony Weaver, Halle Webb.
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The Baker (Sam Shin) and his wife(Madeline Schweers) meet with the Witch (Elaida Dimwamwa) to find a potion to removing the curse preventing them from having a child in the St. Bernard Prep version of the Broadway musical “Into the Woods.�
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Brother Charles Manning speaks with parents regarding the high school science program.
Bloomin Festival raises money for prep school ST. BERNARD PREP
St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, Alabama is a private coeducational boarding school for grades 9-12. Operated by Benedictine monks for more than 100 years, St. Bernard had served as a high school, junior college, seminary and college until it closed in 1979. In 1984 a group of alumni organized and developed the new St. Bernard Prep School. It was during
this time when funds were low that a good fund raising campaign was implemented. Festival Director Joyce Nix remembers well how Bloomin' Festival originated since she has served as the director for the past 24 years. "We wanted to do something that would showcase our community and help our school. We already had Ave Maria Grotto, a folk art park within itself, so why not showcase that facility with the beautiful grounds as well as host an arts festi-
val." Then came the big question. What do we name it? Jim Miller, the school's headmaster at the time, said we need to host it in the Spring so why not call it "Bloomin' Festival." Sounded southern enough, so the name took on a whole new meaning. The atmosphere at St. Bernard is unique. The buildings surrounding the arts area are stone cut, multi-storied buildings dating back to the early and mid 1900's.
Artists from around the United States travel to Cullman to participate in the annual event. In the beginning years, most artists and craftsmen came from within a 50 mile radius of the campus. Now the festival has grown from 60 vendors to the current 140 vendors coming from other states as well as Alabama. The festival has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top Twenty Event in the Southeastern United States.
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SAINT BERNARD’S 2012 BLOOMIN FESTIVAL VENDOR LIST Alejandro Amezcus, Nashville, TN, sterling silver jewelry Kelley Bentley Ash, Horton, artist Debra Ashworth, Gardendale, children's clothing Marian Baker, Oneonta, folk art/mixed media Norman and Pat Barker, Etowah, TN, handmade quilts Robert Barnes, Sherman, TX, plantstands/pepper grillers Matt and Linda Barry, Sewanee, TN, plants Constance Beck, Adamsville, TN, spinning/weaving Janice Russell Beck, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, artist Tara Atkins, Madison, accessories Haleigh Black, Cullman, artist Randy and Bev Bullard, Smyrna, TN, handcarved birdhouses Sigrid Burke, Huntsville, painted glass, windows, tin Talmadge Butler, Vinemont, garden and patio furniture Bruce Byrd, Milton, FL, recycled tire/flower planters Cindy Cail, West Blocton, metal art Susan Carpenter, Amarillo, TX, wood signs/personalized Dion Carroll, Joppa, hydroponic tomatoes Steve and Mechele Carter, Haleyville, driftwood items Alisha Case, Birmingham, recycled sculpture Harold Collins, Attalla, bow knives and cutting boards Evelyn Cottingham, Trinity, crochet Larry and Ann Couch, Cullman, wood birdhouses Norris Crawford, Greensboro,
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One of the vendors proudly displays his handcrafted kitchen utensils at the Bloomin’ Festival last year. Meredith Geyer, Navarre, FL, wreaths, letters, hairclips leather ladies apparel and accessories Mike and Regina Evans, Cullman Master Gardners, Dusty Gibbs, Holly Pond, flowGlencoe, oil burning candles shrubs and plants ers Guy Faranda, Tire Hill, PA, Dahlia Society of AL, Paul Glenn, Birmingham, oak roasted almonds Birmingham, dahlias woodwork Debra and Bobby Farley, Chelley Davis, Attalla, jewelry Sylvia Gonda, Birmingham, Deborah Davis, McCalla, hand- Pelham, jewelry women and children's clothing Steven Febres-Cordero, painted canvas, frames, etc. Billy and Peggy Goodman, Janice Dearman, Decatur, purs- Trussville, woodcarvings Anderson, birdhouses, feeders Bill and Tammy Finklea, es and accessories and stands Columbiana, kettle korn Sam and Martha Dees, Cecilia Greene, Maplesville, Tammi Floyd, Racine, WI, Peterman, furniture children's clothing mixed media/folk art Ray Dutton, Moulton, birdPaige Greer, Falkville, coin jewPeggy Freeman, Houston, todhouses elry dler quilts Deborah Elliott, Birmingham, Bruce Haney, Amory, MS, 911 Joe Galloway, Huntsville, fused funky art address signs, garden flags glass Ruby Ellison, Memphis, TN, Beth Harrison, Elkmont, handPat Gann, Jasper, women and doll clothes and accessories made soaps, bath and body children's clothing Debbie Elsberry, Springville, Mary Hatfield, Huntsville, phoDean Garrard, Birmingham, crocheted hats, scarves, jewelry tography on dye subtiles baby nursery items Cory and Anita Eneks, Tammy Hill, Vinemont, chilJim Gasser, Lineville, Columbia, TN, fudge dren's clothing stoneware pottery Abby Estes, Rainbow City, felt Please see VENDORS Page 6
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SAINT BERNARD’S 2012 BLOOMIN FESTIVAL VENDOR LIST Dawn Holloway, Cedartown, GA, hairbows and accessories Joanne Holloway, Birmingham, handmade jewelry holders Debbie Hoover, Calera, vintage chenille teddy bears Elizabeth Hornish, Decatur, watercolor paintings Georgia Hulbert, Gurley, birdhouses, wood garden art and signs Mike and Connie Hulsey, Decatur, ink/fountain pens Joyce Hyde, Cullman, magazine art pottery Brenda Irvin, Hueytown, children's clothing David James, Falkville, woodcrafts and jewelry LamarJeffries and Jeff Shimizu, Vestavia Hills, clay George Jones, Florence, handmade brooms Bryan and Laura Jordan, Hoover, pottery Elizabeth Keyton, Dothan, photography Sheree Kilgore, Maggie Valley, NC, glass sculpture Bradley Kirkpatrick, Nashville, TN, music Allan Kress, Baileyton, blacksmith Johanna Littleton, Decatur, paintings Jeffery Long, Alexander City, recycled/mixed media art/candles June Lusty, Nashville, TN, leather Lynn Lusty, Old Hickory, TN, pottery and macrame Jeff Martin, Cantonment, FL, wooden toys Janeen May, Harvest, distressed furniture, frames, boards Jeff and Maggie Mayfield,
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A vendor creates figurines and various knick-knacks during the festival held in April each year. Pulaski, TN, pottery Bill and Elfree McGee, Huntsville, wood pictures, jewelry, pens Ed Midyett, Eldorado, AR, country cutter Jerry Mitchell, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, pottery/clay Sharon Morris, Gardendale, beaded and wire wrapped flatware Chris Motes, Rome, GA, T-shirt quilts Fernando Moya, Louisville, KY, native crafts Leasia Murphree, Cullman, pet clothes and beds Alex Naredo and Rick Thomas, Como, CO, recyled material and vintage silverware Chad Nelson, Cullman, pottery Adam Nicholson, Murphy, NC, birdhouses Veronica Norbut, Arab, hand-
made hairbows, purses, etc. Leigh Panetta, Harvest, soaps and bathgoods Jim Payne, Calhoun, TN, hummingbird feeders Donna Peters, Crane Hill, art/paintings Roger and Renae Poer, Sylvia Springs, jewelry Shannon Quick, Vinemont, reborn furniture Ken and Melissa Ray, Pell City, woodturnings, birdhouses, feeders Martha Rea, Union, MS, stained glass waterfalls Donna Reelings, Cullman, painted wood crosses, churches,etc. Jonathon Rudloff, Panama City, FL, pottery Jimmy Rutherford, Shannon, MS, iron works Lana Sauceman, Chattanooga,
TN, custom vintage dog collars Phyllis Sauls, Gadsden, appliquĂŠd clothing, jewelry Darlene Seals, Holly Springs, MS, hairbows James Sebastian, Huntsville, wood carved stumpmen Tim Sebastian, Huntsville, concrete art Dan Skinner, Nashville, TN, hot/cold flax wraps Wood and Judy Smith, Crystal Lakes, IL, decorative wood silhouettes Pam Snellgrove, LaGrange, GA, blown glass Wayne Snellgrove, LaGrange, GA, woodcarving Vicki Smith, St. Louis, MO, women and children's clothing Silas Stoddart, Cookeville, TN, fine art photography Please see VENDORS Page 7
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BLOOMIN BRIEFS 5K/10K trail race Also, there will be a 5K/10K trail race at St. Bernard Prep School at 7:30 a.m. April 21, on Perimeter Road, next to the pasture gate. Race will finish in the same area. Parking will be available in designated areas used for the Bloomin’ Festival. Awards will be given to the Overall Male and Female winners; Masters Male and Female winners; and firstand second-place age group winners. $25 pre-registration by April 16; $30 race day registration. All proceeds benefit the school. For more information on the race, contact William Calvert at 256-2550030 or 256-612-3028; or at wcalvert@stbernardprep.com.
T-shirts for sale This year’s official Bloomin’ Festival T-shirt design will be a butterfly superimposed with the Bloomin’ Festival words. Cost is $13 each and all proceeds will benefit the school.
SAINT BERNARD’S 2012 BLOOMIN FESTIVAL VENDOR LIST Thomas Troup, Guntersville, Chimes and fishermen Karen Tucker, Helena, handmade lanterns Lisa Tyler, Florence, mixed media Michael and Laura Vest, Birmingham, soaps, bath and body/jewelry Al and Jane Vinsant, Sterrett, mixed media photography collage Jim Weaver, Florence, paintings Len and Judy Weiss, Rock Face, GA, Bavarian art wax David Wells, Roswell, GA, Stoneware pottery Annette White, Butler, Painted slate Phillip and Karen White,
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Cullman resident, Mary Adams, checks out the beautiful flowering plants available at the festival. Oneonta, soap and bath items Clifton and Susan Williams, Abbeville, MO, pottery warmers, crosses, soap Dennis Williams, Tallahassee, FL, toys Kandy Williams, Tuscumbia,
woodwork, jewelry, glassware Pam Willingham, Cullman, portraits/décor pieces Charlene Wooten, Madison, glass and recycling Cathy Worsham, Pulaski, TN, monogrammed coasters
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