The rainy and windy weather did not stop shoppers from coming out in numbers to enjoy the Westbury Senior Citizens Center's annual Country Bazaar, which took place last month.

The bazaar caused a full-fledged traffic jam on Post Avenue due to the center's bus driver Ed Tinnelly who stood at the center's driveway dressed as a colorful clown to encourage Post Avenue drivers to come to the bazaar.

The annual bazaar offered a wide range of merchandise for purchase. The new and used jewelry stand remained a shopper hit with watches, necklaces and bracelets being the most sought out jewelry. "We had some brand new watches that were donated to us. We were able to sell almost all of those, which was great," said Westbury resident and center member Cynthia Johnson. "This is my third year working with the jewelry at the bazaar and all of us members work very hard to set up this bazaar every year."

Since this year's bazaar was held three days before Halloween, some shoppers used the day to find last minute Halloween decorations. "I came here to find some handmade decorations for my son's Halloween party at his school and the one I'm having at my house," said Carle Place resident Terry Stevenson.

Along with other special occasion ornaments, there was ceramic giftware and crocheted items for sale. "We started on Wednesday to do the setup for the fair and today we have had a lot of success in selling our giftware and handmade holiday items," said center member Betty Rufrano.

There was also a White Elephant section at the center's annual bazaar. This section had a variety of everyday new and used household items for sale like crystal glasses, candleholders, breadbaskets, chairs and music equipment. "I come here every year and it's always great," said shopper Barbara Cadet. "I always get a lot of wonderful things like nice records, vintage things and books for my son."

The White Elephant section also had a discount deal for shoppers called the $2 bag option, which gave shoppers the opportunity to fill up a brown shopping bag with any items of their choice for only $2.

Members of the Westbury Senior Citizens Center working at the event were dressed in blue T-shirts and made sure their guests were able to eat a variety of foods while they were at the bazaar. There was a food stand that sold heroes courtesy of Tony's Famous Heroes. "I have the greatest kitchen crew in the world and we all work hard to make the bazaar a success," said Tony, a member of the center for almost 9 years.

In addition, there was a homemade baked goods stand, which sold an assortment of desserts including brownies, pound cakes, chocolate cakes, marble cakes and 7Up cakes. "When we first came in the morning, we were trying to decide where we were going to put out all the baked goods but as quickly as they came in, they were going out," said center member Ernestine Surdo, who made her own Triple Treat Chocolate Cake for the bazaar. "Most people who came into this room came right into the cake section, which was great. It's such a good thing to see how people are really enjoying themselves."

One of the highlights of the bazaar was the raffle drawing, which included a 20-inch flat screen television as grand prize as well as gift certificates to local restaurants. Other prizes were specialty raffle baskets with items such as assorted liquors, spa materials, cookies, teddy bears, baby trinkets and Christmas decorations in them.

The annual event even included activities for children. "People bring [children] when they come here and they have nothing to do so I keep them busy in here," said center member Dorothy Royale, who provided activities like arts and crafts and raffles for children. In addition, Tinnelly did face painting for the children in the bazaar's Kids Kraft Corner.

The Westbury Senior Citizens Center's annual bazaar succeeds each year in being a positive and popular Westbury community event. "We are so thankful that our merchants in our village and the rest of the community are here to support us," said Westbury resident and center member Florence Galloway. "I must say that this bazaar shows that Westbury has one of the best senior citizens centers out here."

Loretta Nicholas, a Westbury resident and center member, said that the bazaar is the center's primary fundraising event for the year and all of the proceeds help to finance the activities and programs at the center. "There are so many things that are offered here. It's a great program," said Nicholas. "It's really great to meet new people after you retire. The center gives senior citizens a chance to be active."

According to North Hempstead Town Councilman Robert Troiano, "the Westbury Senior Center is acknowledged by the Town of Hempstead as being one of the best functioning and most effective senior centers on the entire Island."