Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse is inviting area residents to a craft show and open house Dec. 2.

The annual Country Christmas Craft Show and Open House is hosted by the farm, its staff and residents, to raise funds and awareness in the community about autism.

“[The farm’s] purpose is to care for adults with autism,” said Luke Ryan, farm manager. “We work with them and educate them and help them be able to be out in the community.”

Bittersweet Farms is a member of the Maumee Valley Growers. It has three operating properties consisting of two 80-acre farms in Whitehouse and Pemberville, and a 10-acre farm in Lima. It has approximately 110 people on its regular staff and serves about 55 autistic individuals.

Ryan said he hopes there is a good turnout for the event.

“We used to have it for three days; this year we only have it for one,” he said. “It can be hard on the residents.”

There will be many different crafts for sale including blankets, wreaths, pillows, clay pottery, yule logs and small decorations for trees. Items for sale are made by the autistic people the farm serves. Santa will also be there for pictures.

“All the money raised goes back into Bittersweet and its participants,” Ryan said. “It is usually used for a vacation for a resident, or for gifts. A lot of our participants don’t have a family.”

The Country Christmas Craft Show and Open House will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Bittersweet Farms is located at 12660 Archbold-Whitehouse Road in Whitehouse.

For more information, call (419) 875-6986 or visit home.tbbs.net/semisweet.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 29th, 2006 at 12:00 am and is filed under TFP Version 1.
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