AROUND TOWN: ESM's Festival of Trees

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, oh you won’t see Christmas trees like the ones created for Ecumenical Social Ministries’ annual Festival of Trees.

A candy-cane tree and a Dr. Seuss Who tree. An energy-saving LED tree and an origami tree.

For sponsor Ed Bircham it was a thank-you tree with red, green, gold and silver cards made by Antelope Trails Elementary third graders to thank members of the military. The cards will be delivered to the USO.

Altogether there were 30 decorated trees along with wreaths and tablescapes enjoyed by the 330 people at the festive Jingle Bell Gala Nov. 18. Several hundred more visited the Doubletree Hotel over that weekend to see and purchase their favorites to take home and to get some new decorating ideas.

A jubilant Rev. Francisco Quezada cheered the gala’s “Best in Show” tree from St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and then had the top auction bid to purchase it. “The Three Kings” was the creation of Leslie Cushman and Valerie Carriedo.

Others judged as winners were:

El Pomar’s “Most Original” Suessian Who tree.

“Fruits of Our Labor” by Judy Gaffney for Osborne, Parsons and Rosacker won the theme and ensemble categories.

First United Methodist Church’s “Color My Christmas” was named best tree use of the theme.

St. Mary’s “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” was named “Best in Show Tablescape.”
The God Squad put together the “Best in Show by a Nonprofit” tree.

Among those decorating the holiday treats were Sandy Traver, Barbara Budd and Sue Ellen Delaney.

There is still an opportunity to claim one of the decorated trees through the online auction at ecusocmin.org.

MORE PHOTOS: http://tinyurl.com/6wawn8y