By Thomas J. McKillen
Managing Editor

The evolution of A Community Affair continues.
The 26th annual main fund raising event for Community League started out as “A Country Affair” before undergoing a name change a few years ago to account for a wider variety of exhibitors.
The most recent change is in the location of the event. While the arts and craft show has been held for several years at Ben Franklin Elementary School, this year it has moved to the new auxiliary gym at Menomonee Falls High School.
“We wanted all of our exhibitors in one spot if we possibly could, because that’s so much easier for people attending if they just have to roam one spot than a whole school,” Community League member Kathy Kirchen said.
In the past, some exhibitors were in classrooms while others were in the Ben Franklin gym.
“With this particular location we’re going to be able to be much more cohesive with exhibitors in the gym (and) a few in the cafeteria,” Kirchen said.
She added that the club wanted to have the event in the main high school gym in past years, but that is used for sporting events.
Also, the event is down to one instead of two days — from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 this year — based in part on input from exhibitors who preferred a one-day show.
This year’s A Community Affair currently has more than 80 exhibitors lined up. Admission is $4.
What remains the same is the silent auction where the exhibitors all donate an item. The club’s raffle has expanded from one to four items: a featured quilt, a women’s diamond watch, a stay at a 52 Stafford Irish Bed and Breakfast and $150 and $100 cash prizes. Also part of the show will be snack bar, luncheon and Pastries ‘n More display.
Approximately two-thirds of the exhibitors will be returning from last year. Among the exhibitors will be Sandy Claas (outdoor art), Nancy Kemmer (antiques), Kurt and Patty Freeberg (Kettle Corn) and Peter Mulock (glass work), Mary Pocian (sculpture pieces), Eileen Bisone (fine art watercolors), Jennifer Tubbin (handmade quotation frames). In addition to local exhibitors, there are also exhibitors from Michigan, Minnesota and from northern Wisconsin.
Kirchen noted that Pocian is a Menomonee Falls native who now resides in South Carolina. She came to last year’s show and met family while she was here, and liked it so much that she’s returning again.
In addition to returning exhibitors, Community League members also go to different shows in search of new vendors.
“We like to get new people or two,”  Community League member Sharon Ottow said.
Even as this show is in its final stages of preparation, Jeanne Verbsky has sent out correspondence regarding next year’s show.
“It’s nonstop,” Verbsky said.
After this year’s show, Community League members will meet at a pot luck dinner to review the most recent show and then seek a chairperson for next year’s event. While Ottow said there “is a little bit of a break” the organization reserves the facility.
Why do it?
“We are so aware of the needs in our community and the greater metro area that we want to raise as much money as we can because we want to give a bit to people who need it,” Verbsky said.