Winter Wonderland Raises Funds

For The American Red Cross

By Shannon Hicks

The 2nd Annual Wonderland of Trees at The Homesteads at Newtown recently concluded with a daylong event that raised a few thousand dollars for the American Red Cross of Western Connecticut.

Nearly 40 three-foot-tall decorated trees had been displayed around the main floor of The Homesteads’ building, and its residents and the public were invited to view the trees and place silent bids on them. Area residents and businesses had put a lot of time into creating and developing their themes on the trees and each was a unique display. There were trees with simple decorations and trees that were loaded with ornaments. Some trees were obviously meant to appeal to the younger crowd –– one tree was covered with toy cars, another had small toys and candy –– while others were suitable for any age.

A number of Newtown groups participated in the fundraiser including Children’s Adventure Center, Dodgingtown Garage, Drug Center Pharmacy, Fraser Woods School, Hawleyville Fire Department, Homesteads Beauty Shop, Homesteads Garden Walk, Morrison Senior Dining (which runs the kitchen at The Homesteads), Newtown Florist, Newtown Republican Town Committee, Newtown United Methodist Church, Newtown Women’s Club, Take Time Relaxation Center, and Wesley Learning Center among them.

The silent auction also included a number of decorative items, wreaths, theme baskets, a wine display tree, candlesticks, and even Sno-Easy, an “ergonomic strain free shovel” that was invented by Bethel resident Peter Lerman.

On December 18 organizers of “The Wonderland of Trees” also brought in a few vendors, including jewelers and a few artists, and set up a bazaar area for visitors to also enjoy while making final bids on the tree (or trees, in some cases) of their choice.

Live music began to welcome visitors late Thursday afternoon. Wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres complemented a performance by the master pianist and composer Jerry Traunig.

Don Gabriel, a co-owner of World of Wine & Spirits of Newtown, was also offering wine tastings on Thursday. He was featuring Toasted Head Chardonnay, a merlot, and a champagne.

At 8 pm, Homesteads Executive Director Dana Paul announced the close of bids and winners were announced. Most winning bids on the trees were within the $65 to $70 range. A teddy bear tree by Valerie Larkin was bid to $85; and a Victorian-style tree by Pat Bear, who works in the Homesteads’ fitness center, went to $95, as did the toy car-laden tree donated by Dodgingtown Garage.

“These are portable donations for the Red Cross,” Homesteads owner Linda Silberstein said Thursday evening. “All of the proceeds from the silent auction are going right to the Western Connecticut chapter.” The vendors –– jewelry designers de la terra and artist Janine Wesselmann ––– had also promised to donate a part of their day’s proceeds to the Red Cross.

In addition to the display of trees, members of Candlewood League of Artists (CLA) had been presenting an exhibition and sale of paintings and drawings, and many of the artists were at the reception on December 18. (CLA President Nancy Warwick found herself in a silent bidding war on one of the trees on Thursday, in fact. At the end of the evening Mrs Warwick won the teddy bear theme tree decorated by Valerie Larkin.)

The paintings and drawings by CLA members will remain on view at The Homesteads through at least the end of the year. The public is welcome to stop in to see the exhibition daily between 9 am and 8 pm.