Travel Tours Featured during Annual Fantasy Tree Event

The 14^th Annual Fantasy Tree will be held at the Lamar Elks Lodge, Saturday, November 18^th and will be highlighted in part by a silent auction featuring several travel tour packages.

The proceeds of the auctions benefit the Domestic Safety Resource Center, paying for various expenses that are not covered by grant funding, according to Center Executive Director, Kathy McCorkle. For over a decade, the Fantasy Tree event has raised funds through the auction of Christmas Trees, wreathes and merchandise donated by local retailers.  The trees are usually decorated in themes to represent the tree’s donor or to feature a sports team such as the Colorado Rockies, a group’s emblems or patches or in one case, illuminated shotgun shells.  She said that so far, seventeen trees and from twelve to thirteen wreaths are expected for the event.

McCorkle said the travel tours will be offered though a silent auction and this year will feature trips to Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Hawaii and a condo vacation at Disneyland in Orlando. “We’ve had a very good experience with the travel agency and winners are allowed up to three years before they take their trip, although we will need payment the night of the auction,” she explained, adding that they are flexible in their policies to accommodate travel arrangements.

There will be a lot of return features which are enjoyed by the community at large. Santa Claus will be on hand again, as well as the All the Right Moves dancers and live music will begin at 9pm, featuring the group from Pritchett, Dueces Wild with Kyle Wait.  A cash bar and hors d’oeuvres will be available beginning at 6pm when doors open.  This year’s organizing committee is comprised of McCorkle, Lisa Thomas, Trina Hainer, Andrea Schultz and Gina Young.  A $5 cash donation will be accepted at the door.  The Domestic Safety Resource Center serves Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa and Prowers Counties.

By Russ Baldwin