The Freshwater Society will be the beneficiary of proceeds raised at the “Junkmarket Under Glass” fundraising event taking place at Otten Bros. in Long Lake from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The sale of recycled and re-imagined arts and crafts, which is open to the public from Sept. 8-10, will kick off with the Freshwater Society’s “Fresh for All” festival fundraising event. Organizers expect 250 to 300 people to attend.

Junkmarket is the brainchild of entrepreneur and author Sue Whitney of Orono. In 2000, she began the retail business The Junkmarket, which sold “junk” that she found around the country and re-purposed at home in Minnesota.

“Sue Whitney is a good friend of the Freshwater Society,” said Diane P. Lynch, Development Director/Senior Manager at the Freshwater Society. “This is the first time they’ve done a charity aspect at a Junkmarket event.”

In addition to appearing as the “junk expert” on several national TV shows, Whitney has written three books, publishes the Junkmarket Style magazine and has a large following on her junkmarketstyle.com website.

This will be the second “Junkmarket Under Glass” event that Whitney has organized for other vendors to sell their repurposed treasures at Otten Bros.

“I have always believed in combining a charitable element with these types of events,” said Whitney. “I chose the Freshwater Society for several reasons. I love the fact that they are a local western suburb organization.”

Whitney said she also feels that the Freshwater Society has great synergy with the Junkmarket Style platform of reduce, re-use and recycle.

“The Freshwater Society was chosen because for over 40 years they have been protecting our most valuable resource—water,” said Whitney.

The fundraising event will include country rock music by local band Lazy Ike and the Daredevils, food from Countryside Café and Catering in Hamel, a cash bar from Bistro 11 in Loretto, raffles, door prizes, silent auction items and more.

“Through the generosity of Otten Bros, for the raffle we’ll be giving away a $500 gift certificate to Otten Bros., three planted large glazed urns valued at $400 in the silent auction and a fall plant as a door prize,” said Lynch.

Guests at the fundraiser will be able to preview and purchase items from over 50 vendors (including vintage, antique, junk, jewelers, and artisans) before the sale opens to the public the following day.

“It gives them a sneak peek,” said Lynch.

Most vendors at the “Junkmarket Under Glass” event, which is also a juried show, will be from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. However, two vendors are coming from Texas.

Tickets to the fundraising event are $35 for individual or $60 for two. Members of the Freshwater Society, the Otten Bros. Gro club and Junkmarket Style receive a $5 discount.

Whitney plans to hold annual “Junkmarket Under Glass” events in March and September each year at Otten Bros. and hopes to continue to partner with charitable organizations in the future.

To purchase tickets to the fundraising event on Sept. 7, visit www.freshwater.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door the night of the event.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the public “Junkmarket Under Glass” sale at Otten Bros. from Sept. 8-10.

A portion of the $6 entry fee will also benefit the Freshwater Society. Hours for the sale on Thursday and Friday are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Lynch said the money raised by the “Junkmarket Under Glass” event will be used for Freshwater Society programs.

Founded in 1968, the Freshwater Society educates and inspires people to value, conserve and protect water resources. The nonprofit located in Navarre began as the first freshwater research facility in the nation.

Today, the Freshwater Society is regarded as a leading force in educating the public about water issues and partnering with other groups dedicated to protecting freshwater resources and their surrounding watersheds.

The Freshwater Society’s Minnesota FarmWise program is in the top three finalists in the Challenge II: Ideas for Addressing Water Issues, which is a competition sponsored by Minnesota Idea Open. Over 100 entries were submitted.

Minnesota FarmWise would link experienced and retired farmers with other farmers to promote clean water for the Mississippi River. It is a partnership between the Freshwater Society and the Mississippi National River Recreation Area (MNRRA).

The winner will receive a $15,000 grant to make their idea possible. The public can vote through Sept. 5 at www.mnideaopen.org.