Festival set for 15th season

JACKIE HAYES

RECORD STAFF Marijo Howard (top), chairwoman of St. Mary's Hospital's Festival of Trees, gets into the Christmas spirit with some help from Sydney Bradshaw, 5, and Santa (sometimes known as Warren Stauch). The festival, held at Kitchener City Hall, includes a variety of events both ticketed and free.

(Nov 10, 2004)

Ho, ho, ho - guess who is planning to slide down the chimney?

Not to panic, though. There is still time to have it cleaned, prepare a snack for the jolly gentleman and send your letter to the North Pole. Santa plans to make a few stops on the way and one of his favourites (and mine) will be St. Mary's Hospital's Festival of Trees in support of its cardiac care centre and future services.

Now in its 15th year, this popular community event, chaired by Marijo Howard, will be in the Kitchener City Hall rotunda from Nov. 18 to 27.

Patrons are invited to Unwrap the Magic at the traditional gala on Nov. 18, beginning this year with hors d'oeuvres and wine from 6 to 7 p.m. on the mezzanine, where raffle tickets also will be sold ($10 or three for $20). The winner will take home a designer tree and cut the ribbon to officially open the festival at 7 p.m.

You can try your luck as well at the charity casino, which will run until 9 p.m. Chairwoman is Linda Kumpf, who is also in charge of sponsorship. About 26 restaurants assembled by Maureen Maus will serve refreshments from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Secretary Maxine Neller is convening the $1,000 treasure chest draw from which 200 tickets will be sold at $20 each.

Gala tickets ($70) are going fast, said chairperson Jean Ann Norman.

But the gala is only the beginning.

Now that we in the media have, more or less, perfected our skills at small tree decorating over the past few years, Anne Wilcox has thrown us a new challenge -- decorating a gingerbread house -- at the media launch Nov. 19. These fabulous confectionary delights will also be for sale.

On Nov. 24, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., is a free luncheon for seniors convened by Marijo. Serving are members of the Red Hat Society.

Pat McCormick reports that Tuesday's Cranberry Card Party is again a sell-out. A limited amount of tickets ($25) are still available for Thursday night's fashion show, says convener Rose Lorentz.

Sally Clark and Linda Morriss have organized a 'Tis the Season luncheon ($30) on Nov. 26, which will include Christmas decor demonstrations arranged by Barb Wilgar.

The festival is open to the public throughout the week and weekends except during ticketed events. Janet Dawson-Brock has set up a variety of entertainment for your pleasure, including the Sweet Adelines, the Serenaders, several soloists, guitar players and a jazz band.

You can view (and buy) the beautiful trees designed and decorated by Pam Salisbury and her helpers, and the wreaths and swags arranged by Dorina Idvorian and her team. You can also purchase gifts at Ruth Jones' Angel Shop or the famous shortbread cookies baked by Jean Page's volunteers. There is no charge for admission, although donations are welcome.

Santa will be there to have lunch with the children on the closing Saturday, Nov. 27. Introduced last year, it was deemed "the best deal in town."

As well as lunch and a picture with Santa, arranged by Donna McTavish, whose team of helpers is also running Santa's workshop on Nov. 20, there will be a full program of entertainment. Santa's lunch begins with storytelling by Chloe Callender and Lisbeth Haddad, followed by Kelly's Clowns, P.J. Magic, Bobo the Clown and Sue King's talented group of children.

A fan hour with Erick Traplin winds up at 5 p.m. and he will lead the children outside for the lighting of the CHYM FM Tree of Hope (proceeds go to Family and Children's Services) and then back into the rotunda for more entertainment and the big ticket draw (convener Marguerite Reinhart) for six prizes ranging from $250 to $1,750, to be made at 6:30 p.m.

Lunch with Santa is a ticketed event. Cost is $5 for children and $7 for adults.

Also on the festival committee are Mary Anne Varey, treasurer; Jan Merli, facilities; Elaine Rees, tickets; Larry Dixon, printing; Nora Whittington, penny table. Martha Stauch, president of the Volunteer Association, has the challenging job of arranging time schedules for the huge number of volunteers who will be backing up these conveners.

Get ready for Santa this year with a visit to the Festival of Trees. For tickets or more information, call 749-6558.

Jackie Hayes is a Kitchener writer who looks at personalities, events and seniors' issues each Wednesday. Contact her at jackieh@golden.net.