November 12, 2003

Tree themes offer dazzling decorations

Olde Towne Festival of Trees on display through Sunday at GT Heritage Center

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

"I wish for peace on Earth and a dirt bike."
On a tree filled with wishes ranging from the worldly to the profound, this Sabin Elementary School student's wish spanned the spectrum in one fell swoop. Bright yellow stars decorated the school's tree, each containing a wish such as a baby brother, a monkey, toys and even a hermit crab.
The Sabin Elementary School tree is one of 23 school trees on display through Sunday at the Olde Towne Festival of Trees. Filling the Grand Traverse Heritage Center with holiday cheer, the 17th annual show is sponsored by the Zonta Club of Traverse City.

Herald photo by Carol South
Girl Scouts from Troop 68 check out the trees; from left, Emily Straight, Lynnie Ratte, both sixth graders at Old Mission Elementary School, Jamie Endicott, a sixth grader at Central Grade School, and Alyssa Hartman, a sixth grader at Old Mission.

The Festival of Trees also features 23 professional trees made by area businesses. The themes range from angels and The Nutcracker to antiques and the Victorian era.
"The trees this year have far surpassed any other year, the designer trees as well as the kids' trees," said Dore Shaw, co-chair for the event. "The kids are getting more advanced every year when it comes to their decorating ideas."
"The generosity of the community this year has matched the level of creativity that the trees have," Shaw noted.
The Festival of Trees kicked off Friday evening with a catered reception and a Children's day featured crafts and clowns. Tuesday was Senior Day while Thursday is Special Needs day emphasizing holiday experiences through the senses.
The wide array of creativity on display every year draws Ann Morgan to the Festival of Trees. Armed with pencil and paper, she jots down notes while keeping an eye on her two young children who roam delightedly among the trees.
"I like to get ideas for my kids' trees, we put up a small tree in their rooms every year," Morgan said.
As in previous years, the Festival of Trees benefits a variety of area charities that align with the Zonta Club's mission of advancing the status of women and children. These charities include Helen's House Shelter, Grand Traverse Area Hospice, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Project 100 and the Traverse Area District Library.
Some of the professional trees are available for purchase via silent auction while others are raffled off. In addition, holiday wreaths and accessories are raffled and these proceeds also aid area charities. The silent auction closes Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
Creating a professional tree every year for the past six years, Judy Barrett uses her display as a chance to educate about birding, wildlife or the outdoors. This year, the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited promoted nature awareness by creating a Wildlife Wonderland tree to emphasize staying home and enjoying backyard critters.
"I pulled together sources and guidebooks to go around the foot of the tree," said Barrett, who has owned her store for 17 years. "One year we did a bluebird tree and had information on bringing bluebirds back."
Barrett noted that creating her tree helps her get into the holiday spirit every year.
"Unfortunately here in retail we have to start thinking about the holiday much earlier than most people," she said. "Making the tree does take some creativity, you have a theme and you have to take that theme and work with who you are."
The Olde Towne Festival of Trees runs through Sunday at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center, located at 322 Sixth St. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.