It might be easy to say that if you’ve seen one craft and bake sale, you’ve seen them all.
It might be easy, that is, unless you visited the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse this past Friday morning.
There were the standard tables filled with dolls in handmade dresses, pot holders, blankets, quilts and other knitted, crocheted and sewn items. There were also the homemade breads, cakes and cookies.
But, what wasn’t standard about the display was that most of the goods were made by one woman – 85-year-old Sister Corona Bayer.
For 29 years, the Central Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired has held its annual fundraising sale in Great Bend, first at St. Rose Auditorium and now at the convent. In each of those years, Bayer has made it her mission to produce the intricate items.
“Right after a sale is over, I start working on things for the next year,” the diminutive Bayer said with  giggle. Struggling with vision problems herself, this is a cause she is very passionate about.
Sadly, it is her failing eyesight that may eventually prevent her from continuing this calling. But, for now, she plans on whipping out her crochet needles and getting to work.
Bayer celebrated her 65th Jubilee in June. That means she’s been a member of the Dominican Sisters for 65 years.
A native of Kingman County who grew up in Cunningham, she answered her calling and entered the sisterhood in 1946. She has spent most of her life at the Great Bend motherhouse.
As for the sale, CKAVI Secretary Trella Berscheidt said it did very well this year. A large part of that success is due to the efforts of Bayer.
“Every year we offer to help,” Berscheidt said. “But when we get there, she’s already done.”
This marked the first year the group held a one day event since in the past, it has run Friday and Saturday. This time, they sold on one day what they’ve sold over two at previous sales.
“We have a loyal following,” Berscheidt said. “We have a lot of the same customers each year.”
And, children are coming because their parents did, she said.
Although the plans for 2015 are not finalized, they will probably stick to one day again, she said. They are debating whether it will be Friday or Saturday, as well as the other details.
Founded in 1985, Central Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired is a support group that normally meets monthly at the convent. Its goal is to inform the visually impaired about the services available as well as promoting public awareness of both technology and support that is offered to those with visual disabilities.
It is an affiliate of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and also keeps members informed of all state and federal legislation relative to blind and low vision individuals, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Members included those with vision problems as well as others.