By Amanda Estes
Staff Writer
    Scrapbookers, knitters, painters, card makers and general crafters will come together in Scarborough next month for a day of projects and a chance to help a local family. Tracy Jamison, a creative memory consultant who teaches others how to preserve memories, will be hosting a Crop and Craft event from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on May 12 to benefit the Pallotta family of Scarborough. For those unfamiliar with the scrapbooking lingo, Crop simply refers to a day spent scrapbooking.
    Stephen Pallotta, a former paramedic and firefighter in Scarborough who recently moved Portland, suffers from Lyme disease and various co-infections. His wife, Diane, said Stephen was originally diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, because the illnesses has similar symptoms.
    “It’s the absence of any other diagnosis,” Diane said about ALS. “Since they couldn’t test him positive for anything, they grouped him into the ALS category.” Diane said getting a correct diagnosis was a long process and two years had gone by before an infectious disease doctor correctly identified the illness.
    Stephen is currently in a wheelchair and Diane said his daily life is “very confined.”
    “My husband and I have been married for 13 years and we’ve always been very active,” she said. “It changes your perspective on life-live for today, I guess.” Diane said her family was appreciative and grateful for their friends and family, who have given them support.
    Jamison has known the Pallotta family for six years. She worked with Diane at Unum and their sons went to preschool together. Jamison said she wanted to have the event because there were times when she couldn’t help and this felt like a time she could. Jamison opened up the to event to all crafters because she suspected there might be a need in the community for people to spend the day enjoying their hobbies.
    “We decided to open it up to anybody who might want to get out of the house for the day,” she said. Jamison said interested individuals have already begun to sign up and while some of them know the family, others simply recognize a worthy cause.
    St. Maximilian-Kolbe Parish Hall on Black Point Road in Scarborough donated the space for the event and Jamison is still searching for corporate sponsors for food and raffles. Jamison also said she received a call from a Unum employee who plans to announce the event to co-workers and collect donations.
    People interested in attending the event can pre-order scrapbook supplies until April 20 and scrapbook supplies will be available on the day of the event. Breakfast, coffee, lunch, and afternoon snacks are included in the $40 registration fee.  The registration fee and raffle proceeds will benefit the Pallottas. Please RSVP with payment by May 9 to reserve a spot. To register or for more information, contact Tracy Jamison at 885-5019 or cmtrajamison@yahoo.com.