A few weeks ago, I boasted about my favorite flea market find ever, a Mrs. Butterworth’s lamp — an old-school glass bottle of the beloved syrupy lady that someone wired, probably in shop class. I topped her off with a red and white checkered lampshade and she proudly illuminates my bedroom from my nightstand.

While I also gave props to my standing Marlboro ashtray and hand-painted ceramic hot dog dog, I didn’t mention the other unique lamps that dot my home like the one made out of a Cutty Sark whiskey bottle or the 1950s 7 Up can. Plus, I have a wine bottle finagled into a clock that only reads 5 o’clock.

The next time to hunt for another soon-to-be beloved oddity is this Saturday, Sept. 6, at the United Churches of Christ of Bensenville’s second annual Flea Market and Craft Show, to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. John’s Church, 601 Route 83, at the corner of Foster Avenue. The UCC of Bensenville is made up of Immanuel, Peace and St. John’s churches in Bensenville.

Parishioner Karen Ahlgrim reports that already 40 vendors are registered and more are calling every day.

Both the parking lot of St. John’s and its interior will be filled with merchandise, from the UCC’s own “Granny’s Attic” stuffed with items like antique steamer trunks, dishes, games, new and used clothing to miscellaneous crafts like fleece clothing, denim handbags, jewelry and candles to franchises like Mary Kay and Tastefully Simple.

Besides flea market and craft treasures, there will be a bake sale with homemade treats by parishioners. Also, snacks like an old family recipe of sloppy joes and the standard hot dogs, popcorn, chips and pop will be available for purchase.

Money raised by the churches through food and Granny’s Attic sales will help fund things like missions, church functions and the Wood Dale/Bensenville Food Pantry.

Like most churches across the United States, membership is declining, and with three churches of the same denomination in Bensenville, they are kind of competing for parishioners. The hope is to merge the three churches into one. This event is just one of the ways the churches are starting this blending process.

“We had such a wonderful time doing this event last year that we decided to hold it again and are hopeful it becomes an annual event,” Ahlgrim said. “It’s a great and fun way for the three churches to work together. It’s a very friendly environment that shows how well the three churches can work together and build fellowship through events like this one.”

The churches also host campfires together and even rotate service locations.

“We are trying to not only unite all three churches with an event like this, but also get the community involved,” Ahlgrim said. “We had a lot of outside people come last year and we’re hoping they’ll return with friends this year!”

If it rains, the UCC Flea Market and Craft Show will be next Saturday, Sept. 13, at the same place and time. For more information, or to see if there’s any more room for vendors, call St. John’s at (630) 766-3848.

“This is a really fun event and you never know what you’ll find,” Ahlgrim said. “It’s hard to say what will all be there, but I do know that people will find some great treasures and have a great time doing it.”

Border Bounding is a weekly column appearing on Thursdays. Ideas for the column can be e-mailed to hipychk73@yahoo.com.