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Monday, 12 November 2007 |
By ANNIE ZELM

Staff Writer
No matter what their age, hundreds of people who walked through the forest of trees in bloom with Christmas ornaments at The Gardens of Wapakoneta could not help but catch the Christmas spirit.
Young children and their parents enjoyed the company of Santa and Mrs. Claus, while residents of the assisted living facility visited with their families and smiled in the midst of all the excitement during the ninth Annual Wapakoneta Festival of Trees.
The silent auction of trees, wreaths and specialty items raised approximately $9,500 for the Tri-County Visiting Nurses and Hospice, Event Coordinator Mary Williams said Sunday evening, after the majority of the items had gone home with the highest bidders.
“We’re very pleased with how well everything went,” Williams told the Wapakoneta Daily News in a telephone interview. “The bids from (Saturday) to today doubled, and I can’t say enough about The Gardens’ residents and their staff for hosting it.”
The five-day event, which began Wednesday, attracted more than 500 people in its first three days and many more on the weekend, Williams said.
A total of 47 trees, dozens of wreaths and several other holiday items were on display, decorated by area businesses, organizations and individuals.
Some trees paid tribute to The Ohio State Buckeyes, featuring scarlet and gray ornaments. Others celebrated “Christmas in July,” St. Patrick’s Day, Disney characters or gourmet food.
A few trees honored a special cause or loved one, such as “Silent Night,” a tree decorated by parishioners at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in memory of their late pastor, the Rev. Tom Roberts. The tree dedicated to Roberts won the People’s Choice Award after earning the most votes from the public during the festival.
The overall choice for favorite item, however, was not for sale. It was a cardboard gingerbread house decorated by the McCune family, originally designed as a centerpiece for the Auglaize County Library and loaned to the Festival of Trees.
Several visitors said it was difficult to choose a favorite from so many uniquely-decorated wreaths and trees.
“It’s just beautiful, and every one is just as nice as the other,” The Gardens resident Myrtle DeLong said as she sat in the lobby while waiting for her granddaughter and great-grandchildren to finish making crafts in the activity room.
“I think it’s wonderful they have something like this because there are things for people of all ages.”
Carolyn Jensvold, who came with her children and grandchildren to visit her mother, Viola Roettger, said she looks forward to the festival each year because it brings generations together.
“There’s good interaction with the old and the young,” Jensvold said. “The older ones love to watch the excitement of the younger ones, and it’s a good thing for the kids to experience too.”
Jason Jensvold, who brought his 4-month-old son, Jacob, for his first visit with Santa, said the event is a good time for people to start thinking about the holidays.
“It seems like it’s just the atmosphere of the festival,” Jason Jensvold said. “The children really seem to love it.”
Caleb Woten, 6, the son of Ashley Woten, was one of approximately 20 children who were photographed with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of a tree decorated by Poppe Law Offices.
“I want Transformers for Christmas because I liked the movie,” Caleb said after talking with Santa. “But really I’m a fan for three things — Transformers, the Buckeyes and the Chicago Bears.” |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 November 2007 )
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