Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The 2003 Festival of Trees opens today and continues through Sunday at Town Center Mall.
Designers choice awards were announced Tuesday, and the peoples choice awards will be chosen by those attending the event. The event benefits the Health Care Foundation, which provides the following assistance programs: ParentShare, Care Connection, BABE and Bilingual Community Liaison.
Winners of designers choice awards include: "Giddy Up! Let's Go," winner in the adult 3-1/2-foot category, designed by Janine Seese; "Fruits of the Spirit," winner in the 4-1/2-foot category, designed by Master Gardeners, Mary Titus, chairman; "Sounds of Christmas," winner in the 6-1/2-foot group, designed by Lea Derbyshire, Maple Avenue Florist; and winner of the 3-1/2-foot children's category, "The Hundred Acre Wood," designed by AAUW, Cindy Hollowell and Constance Gephart.
There are a total of 32 trees on display, exhibiting a wide variety of themes. "Nature's Wonderland," designed by Robin Brown, will be raffled; raffle tickets are $2 each or six for $10. Several other trees will be offered in a silent auction, and wreaths on display are available for sale.
The sponsors are: Biomet, DePuy Orthopaedics and Kosciusko Community Hospital, platinum sponsors; Biomet Inc., Medtronic Sofamor Danek Mfg., Miller's Merry Manor and Grace Village, silver sponsors; and Community Giving Sponsors, Bodkin Abstract, Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Dean Jansen, Key Bank, Lake City Bank, Rockhill, Pinnick LLP, R.R. Donnelley and Sons, Sprint, Wawasee Boat Co. and Zimmer.
The Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County Inc. board of directors includes: Lowell Owens, president; Richard Helm, vice president; Richard Wright, treasurer; Suzanne Light, secretary; Nancy Derry, R.N.; Joy Lohse; Barb Kintzel; Pam Messmore; Lois Niemier; Erica Parra; Joni Truex; Ruth Voreis; Diane Winn and Dot Wysong. The executive director is Julie Steele.
The Town Center Mall is at 119 E. Center St., at the corner of East Center and Market streets in downtown Warsaw. General admission will be from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and noon until 6 p.m., Sunday. Admission to the Festival of Trees is free. All donations made during the event will benefit the Health Care Foundation. For more information, call 268-2273.
