The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Christmas trees usually garner attention for what's underneath them, but that wasn't the case at the Creighton Community School gym over the weekend. CADAC hosted its Sixth Annual Festival of Trees, with a colourful array of artificial pines as well as wreathes and centrepieces on display. 'We had a lot of positive feedback. People noted that it was bigger and better than ever,' said festival chairperson Laurel Mackie. Visitors admired a succession of trees that stood atop tables. Dotted with bright lights, bows and imaginative ornaments, the trees merged simple tradition with overflowing creativity. One tree was made almost entirely of plastic water bottles; another of used books with the opened pages serving as makeshift 'branches.' Just as much thought went into the row of handmade wreathes, adorned with all sorts of ornaments and oversized bows. A grouping of centrepieces rounded out the event, open to the public Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon. All pieces were created by individuals and organizations and auctioned off to the highest bidder to close out the festival. Visitors also had the chance to get some holiday shopping done, with craft booths selling items like dolls, scarves and popcorn. Creighton Community School students took the opportunity to host a tea as well as a Breakfast with Santa event, raising funds for their graduation ceremony next June. Mackie estimates some 1,000 people stopped by the event, which featured a record 43 entries. 'I thought the entries were just amazing,' she said. Through the Festival of Trees, CADAC typically raises about $2,500 for its substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. But just as importantly for Mackie, executive director of CADAC, is the chance to give back to the community in the form of a family-friendly holiday tradition. See 'Win...' on pg. 8 Con't from pg. 6 The winners of the festival, which carried the theme of 'Winter Reflections': Best in Show - 'Holiday Bliss' tree by Hudbay, designed by Ashley Thompson and Carla Simon Centerpieces Most Artistic - 'Noel' by Meadowlark Florals (Margie Gall) Most Original - 'Blue Christmas Without You' by Laurel Mackie Most Effort - 'Our Christmas Angel' by Primary Health Care Centre (in memory of Catherine Hynes) Theme Winner - 'Season to Sparkle' by Anita Rainville People's Choice - 'Blue Christmas Without You' by Laurel Mackie Wreathes Most Artistic - 'Winter Wonderland' by Meadowlark Florals (Margie Gall) Most Original - 'Let it Snow! Let it Snow!' by Border Explorers Snowmobile Club Most Effort - 'Silvery Blue' by Creighton-Denare Beach Tenant Association Theme Winner - 'Northern Lights' by CIBC People's Choice - 'Winter Wonderland' by Meadowlark Florals (Margie Gall) Trees Most Artistic - 'Forever Green' by Gorilla Gardners (from Ecole McIsaac School) Most Original - 'The Reading Tree' by the Let's Read Committee, Creighton Community School Most Effort - 'Go Figure' by the Flin Flon Figure Skating Club Theme Winner - 'Life Reflections' by CADAC Centre People's Choice - Forever Green by the Gorilla Gardners (from Ecole McIsaac School) Mackie is already looking ahead to next year's festival, which will carry the theme of 'Christmas Past, Present and Future' in honour of the City of Flin Flon's 80th birthday.
