AMENIA — Now in its third year and growing in popularity, a holiday raffle to benefit the Amenia Free Library is drawing local interest. Between now and the library’s closing time on Wednesday, Dec. 17, library visitors can purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning generous gift baskets donated by local businesses and library friends and board members.
Tickets are available for purchase at the library desk for $5 each. A tempting array of 17 large gift baskets are on display at the library. The drawing will be held after the library closes on Dec. 17. Winners will be contacted the next morning.
“We love offering our Holiday Basket Raffle each year,” said Library Director Victoria Herow, adding that it attracts new community members to the library as well as bringing regular patrons to visit.
“Patrons are already inquiring about participating in next year’s raffle,” Herow noted, anticipating that it will grow even stronger over time.
Each basket in the array builds on a theme, including chocolates and sweets, children’s books from Oblong Books, a cocktails basket, a “Relax at Home” basket, hot cocoa baskets, wine basket, and a basket of bathroom rugs and towels. A “Year of Kitchen Towels” basket adds to the fun and there is a donated basket with a gingerbread theme.
Models walk the organic runway at HVSFW. Ilan Harel 
Susan Schneider, owner of Shandell’s, creates a variety of products with marbleized surfaces in her Ashley Falls studio.L. Tomaino
