Arts & Crafts Show This Weekend—

Wonderland of Trees At Homesteads

Will Benefit Danbury Hospital

The 3rd Annual “Wonderland of Trees” has opened at The Homesteads at Newtown Senior Living Community.

The silent auction of the “forest” of beautifully decorated tabletop Christmas trees began on December 5 and will continue until Thursday, December 16, when bidding closes at 8 pm. The public is invited to view the trees and bid each day between 10 am and 5 pm. All auction proceeds will benefit Danbury Hospital.

More than 50 table-top size trees have been decorated by local individuals, civic organizations and businesses.

On two days during “Wonderland” there will be a Fine Arts and Crafts Sale, with 25 percent of the sales proceeds also benefiting the hospital. Arts & Crafts Sales will be presented on Saturday, December 11, from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Thursday, December 16, from 10 am to 7 pm (one hour before the tree auction ends).

The public is invited to both of the arts and crafts shows. There is no admission charge.

“Wonderland” will conclude with a holiday reception on December 16 from 10 am to 8:30 pm with seasonal refreshments and musical performances, including the wide-ranging repertoire of pianist Jerry Traunig from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Successful tree bids will be announced shortly after 8 pm.

The Fine Arts and Crafts Sale will present the best in handcrafted jewelry and clothing, weavings and decorative objects from artists hailing from Connecticut, New York and Israel.

Among this weekend’s participants is Canine Advocates of Newtown, Inc., a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who provide daily walks and socialization for the dogs at Newtown Dog Pound. CA pays for the dogs’ shots and the complete cots of spaying and neutering before adoption.

The group’s goal is to help all dogs find loving homes. To this end the dogs are publicized on CA’s website, www.CanineAdvocates.org, as well as on www.PetFinder.com.

Members of CA will be offering some of their arts and crafts for animal lovers . There will be framed handcrafted silhouettes of a dog or cat with the motto “This house is maintained entirely for the comfort and convenience of my [dog or cat, depending on the silhouette].”

There will also be dog and cat earrings, and hooks to hang leashes upon.

Also featured at The Homesteads – and on view through the end of the year – will be an art exhibition by members of The Heritage Village Brush and Pencil Club from Southbury. The show offers watercolors, oils, acrylics, pen and inks, and pastels.

The Homesteads at Newtown is at 166 Mt Pleasant Road (Route 6). For more information call The Homesteads at 426-8118.