Festival Of Trees Makes Room For Holidays, Benefits Cancer Survivors

By Kendra Bobowick

Filling the year’s last calendar page are the gift-giving days of December and the image of snow upon a split-rail fence. As residents anticipate holiday celebrations, presents wrapped in red foil, baked pies and snow ball fights, other treats await.

The Festival of Trees & Traditions, which kicks off with a preview party and tree auction Friday, November 16, brings early holiday cheer to greater Danbury as the festival rolls on through Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18. Hidden among the decorative trees, handcrafted items, wreaths, quilts, and other pieces that would wrap up nicely for mom or dad, another gift is hidden.

The weekend events, to be held at Starr Ridge Banquet & Conference Center in Brewster, will benefit Ann’s Place, The Home of I Can, a cancer support and services agency. Tree festival Steering Committee member Eveline Jones, who is also involved in the event’s gift boutique, is among those anticipating the fifth annual event. After becoming involved with Ann’s Place through a friend, she said, “I find it amazing, the enthusiasm to raise money for that cause.”

Like others involved with the mid-November festival, she looks forward to the sale. “It’s really festive, early holiday shopping. You can find things you can’t find in stores.” She finds further meaning to the trees, holiday lights, and gifts for sale.

“It’s rewarding to think that with the little I do I might make some difference in someone’s life,” she said. Thinking of the cancer support center, she said, “People with cancer get so much from Ann’s Place, and the boutique supports Ann’s. It makes me feel good.”

Ann’s Place Board of Directors member Joy Previdi is glad to note that each year the festival grows. As far as fundraising for Ann’s, which provides its services to survivors for free, she said, “We need to keep Ann’s Place going.” The Festival of Trees and Traditions is a major annual fundraiser. Full of hope for organizers supporting Ann’s, the festival is also full of surprises. “You never know what’s going to be there, it’s never the same,” Ms Previdi said.

Trees, wreaths, sprays, gifts, and holiday spirit enliven the festival. “It’s upbeat. People are there to celebrate, it’s fun.”

Preview Party & Tree Auction

Ms Previdi is running out of room. With angels in her office and Raggedy Ann and Andy in her den, the decorative tree owner takes the trees she has won at auction in past years — including both the angel and doll trees — and sets them out for the holiday season. Her trees come from past preview party and tree auctions. The tree auction “Offers an exclusive opportunity to preview and purchase specialty-themed trees before the festival opens to the public,” as stated on this year’s invitation.

Trees can be sponsored by a doctor’s office, for example, and are decorated by Ann’s in-house, or in many cases, an individual or group will decorate a tree. All trees are donated for a silent auction to benefit Ann’s, explained Ms Previdi.

“It’s so exciting. Each tree, each year is different, so you never know what is going to be there,” she said. In past years a handful of trees are most popular among the roughly 70 to 80 trees. “Everybody wants them and we bid, but we know it’s for a good cause and worthwhile,” she said. One of her favorites is a tree adorned with angels and decorated by Newtown resident and cancer survivor Amy Dent.

“I bid on her tree because she worked extra hard on it,” she said. Ms Previdi also has a soft spot for angels. “Without a doubt,” she said she connected with the tree. Some trees are decorated to a musical theme; last year saw a Candlewood Lake tree, and a Danbury Fair tree. “It’s fun,” she said.

Tree festival Steering Committee member and person responsible for the handcrafted boutique Jean Conover summed up the weekend: “The trees are wonderful. We have the most original, creative, memorable trees.”

As stated in a preview party invitation, “The Festival of Trees & Traditions Preview Party is a sparkling evening in a starlit ballroom featuring festive music, cocktails and scrumptious hors d’oeurves.” Ms Conover said, “Anyone can come. The more the merrier!”

The weekend is “amazing,” agreed Marcia Izzo, also on the tree festival Steering Committee and responsible for the holiday boutique. “So many people have put their heart and soul into it.” The committee is primarily a group of people who know a cancer survivor, or are a survivor, or they believe in Ann’s Place. Often, the survivors working on the committee have a clear reason for joining. “They’ll say that Ann’s didn’t ask for a donation or for anything. People who come through will say they want to help because Ann’s did so much for them.”

Guests’ eyes reflect a sparkling array as they enter the festival she said. “When you walk in it’s illuminated.”

At The Festival

The preview party and tree auction is Friday, November 16 from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Reservations are $75. Call Ann’s Place at 790-6568. Also equipped with preview party and tree auction tickets is William Raveis Real Estate in Newtown

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday, and guests are welcome to stroll through a wonderland of decorated trees, wreaths and quilts. Shop for fresh or dried original Thanksgiving centerpiece; find a one-of-a-kind gifts in the Exclusive Holiday Boutique. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children, and children under 5 enter for free.

Guests can also walk away with a diamond from Jewelry Design. Take a turn at Digging for Diamonds and find the real gem: three diamonds will be given away over the three days.

Of special interest to children are the Teddy Bear Tea Parties on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. Seating is by reservation only. Children ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult, are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear for a special tea party with live entertainment, fun, and surprises. All seats are $15, adult or child (includes admission to the general festival). Call Ann’s Place for reservations.

For more information and directions, view annsplace.org and click on “events,” then “Festival of Trees & Traditions.”

The Starr Ridge Banquet & Conference Center is at 38 Starr Ridge Road, Brewster, N.Y.; 845-278-6983.

Learn more about Ann’s Place and the people who benefit from its services in next week’s edition.