FESTIVAL OF TREES 2003

CATS enclose entrance to theatre

posted 11/10/04
PRESS RELEASE: Patrons are already beginning to enjoy the San Juan Community Theatre front enclosure. This C.A.T.S. project became a reality thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters of the Festival of Trees. Guests at this year's Festival of Trees Deck the Halls will enjoy the extra space for wine and food service.

Festival of Trees celebrated at SJCT

posted 12/08/03
Dinner packages were the big hit at the Community Theatre and Arts Society's (CATS) annual Festival of Trees fundraiser, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003. The highest bid was $2,100 for dinner at a private home on the west side of San Juan Island. The donor offered a second dinner for the same price to the second highest bidder. The live auction took in approximately $33,000. The exact totals for the silent and live auction were not available yet.

After expenses last year's auctions garnered almost $50,000. The proceeds were used to turn the Gubelman Room into the Gubelman Theatre. One of the changes was the faux painting done by Dave Stegman and crew.

Event organizers Marcy Hahn and Janet Ludwig dedicated the 15th annual festival to the seven women who founded CATS. They were: Lynne Rogers, Shirley Nielsen, Jane Stoddard, Ruth Fleming, Dodie Gann, Joan Roberts and Catherine Skinner.

Coldwell Banker, Islanders Insurance and Friday Harbor Realty sponsored the event. Artists, business people and community members donated 50 items for the live auction and more than 125 to the silent auction.

The day before the festival, islanders can see the entertainment and look at the decorations at the Festival of Trees Preview. Friday Harbor High School Choir sang carols at the tree lighting ceremony preceding the preview.

Clyde Curley, Susan Curley, Daniel Finn and Randy Swanson played Jigs and Reels.

This vest and shawl from The Toggery brought in $750 in bids.

Auctioneer assistant Farhad Ghatan joked the Island Fir Bench, donated by Joseph Romano, was definitely sturdy after the presenters tested it out. The winning bid was $1,000.

Casey Lehman helped show off an oil painting by Susan Campbell-Webster. His mom, Trish Lehman, (far right) kept the crowd entertained with her jovial auctionneering.

Event co-chairs Janet Ludwig and Marcy Hahn helped in all areas.

Intermission provided time to catch up with fellow islanders.

RuthE Wells led the audience and members of San Juan Singers in carolling.

The men performed a parody of "Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

Rex Guard's Celtic Drum led people into the auditorium.

SJCT Board of Trustees President Pam Nichols led everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to SJCT Executive Director Merritt Olsen.

Bill Paterson performed a Highland Dance.

This tree by Karen and Bob Birdseye featured boxes with the "Twelve Days of Christmas".

Hedda King Shelton was in charge of the workshop where several of the decorations were created.

The Santa pinata, by Jane Dill, and the dollhouse, donated by Carolyn Blakely, were popular items with grandparents.

Sisters, Chinmayo and Susan Grout took a break from the stage during intermission.

This papier mache by Mary Bacon was a hit with the audience.

Bob and Pat Nieman kept tabs on the bids.

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