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Preparations underway for
2014 Festival of Trees |
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November 13, 2014 |
by Marcia Morman
Director of Marketing and Communication
Boundary Community Hospital
When the first winter winds sweep down Clifty
Mountain from the east, and down Roman Nose from
the west, forming ghostly contorting figures of
tiny pieces of ice and swirling white powdered
snow, the inhabitants of Boundary County,
wearing snug woolen hats pulled down over their
ears and thick gloves encasing each finger,
huddle inside of their heavy winter coats and
dream of the Festival of Trees.
The Festival of Trees? Really? Not warm sunny
beaches with swaying palm trees? No, the warm
sunny beaches and swaying palm trees are January
and February yearnings.
In November and December, the Festival of Trees
sparks the imagination of the people of Boundary
County. Memories of the past produce the scent
of spices, pine boughs, and oranges
intermingling with fresh baked cookies and a
delicious dinner prepared and catered by
Kootenai River Inn.
In the hidden recesses of the mind, a vision is
cast of Christmas trees ablaze with lights; each
tree with its own theme and presents, of
auctioned items that include tickets to
professional and collegiate sports events,
airfare to far away places, camping equipment,
baskets with goodies that include night stays at
resorts and hotels along with dinner at fancy
restaurants, hand-crafted tables, wreaths laced
with jewelry, professional artwork, golf passes,
local scenic plane rides, and so much more.
The memory of festivals past project the gentle
greetings of friends not seen often enough, of
the auctioneers in constant motion with
exaggerated expression and movement.
The sensitive ear of memory detects Christmas
music played by The Four Saxes on their shiny
brass saxophones. Later Jeanne Robinson on
keyboard plays and sings favorite winter songs.
For the past eighteen years, the Festival of
Trees has been produced by the Fry Healthcare
Foundation Board of Directors and friends of the
organization. This year is no different. Many
people are spending hours planning, organizing
and preparing for the event which this year will be on Friday and Saturday, December 12 and
13.
The Memorial Hall at the Fairgrounds is
reserved. The entertainment is scheduled. The
dinner is on its way.
There are actually two events for the Festival
of Trees. The first is Family Night where
families come to view the trees, munch on
decorated cookies, watch and listen as singers
and entertainers perform, and to visit Santa
with his long, white beard and big belly as he
sits in his overstuffed chair listening to the
boys and girls conspiratorially whispering their
Christmas present requests. The doors open at 4
p.m. and close at 7 p.m. Admission price is $5
per family or a donation of canned goods for the
Boundary County Ministerial Association's
Christmas food baskets that are distributed
throughout the county.
The second event is Gala Night on Saturday,
December 13. This is the night that funds are
raised benefiting our local Boundary Community
Hospital. This is the night of the silent and
live auction, of fun games, music, friends, and
dinner. Cost is $35.00.
Last year, Fry Healthcare Foundation started a
fund for the purchase of a 15-passenger,
wheel-chair accessible van. This year's Festival
of Trees will provide the remaining funding.
Already sponsors of the Gala Night have donated
cash towards the purchase of the van. The
auctions, both silent and live, as well as the
games, will increase the pot.
Named for Dr. E.E. Fry who opened his office in
Bonners Ferry in 1903, and four years later,
opened and operated the first hospital in
Boundary County, the Fry Healthcare Foundation
incorporated under the State of Idaho as a
501(c)3 in 1994. This non-profit status allows
Fry Healthcare Foundation to raise funds for
continuous hospital improvements.
In its twenty year history, the Fry Healthcare
Foundation has purchased over one million
dollars of equipment for Boundary Community
Hospital. This benefits the entire community,
increasing the medical treatment opportunities
in our rural area.
Sponsorships and donations for the silent and
live auction are always welcome. The website,
FryHealthcareFoundation.org, provides a way to
purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor. The
website is also a resource for more information
about Family Night and Gala Night.
Sponsorships and donations can also be made by
calling Linda Hiatt, President of Fry Healthcare
Foundation at 208-610-4175, or Marcia Morman,
Director of Marketing and Communication at
Boundary Community Hospital, at 208-267-6912. |
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