Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation's Christmas Fantasy is this weekend

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2014 will be held this coming Friday through Monday, November 14-17 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Let It Be Christmas.”  In addition to the nearly 70 decorated Christmas trees on display, this year's event will again offer many other social and shopping opportunities.

Reservations are now being taken for the Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event, and the noon luncheons. The luncheons are sponsored again this year by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Saturday, November 15 at noon, and again Monday, November 17 at noon. A full meal will be served, plus entertainment will be provided at both events.

At the Saturday luncheon, guests will enjoy entertainment by pianist Betty Maslo. Alaine Meier will be the pianist entertaining at the Monday luncheon, followed by the Allamakee Community School Flute Choir directed by JoAnn Sherman. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays at the event. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.

Saturday evening, November 15 will feature a special wine, cheese and dessert event sponsored by the Eagle’s Landing Winery of Marquette. Call 568-4177 for reservations.  The cost includes refreshments, viewing of the decorations, musical entertainment, and wine compliments of Eagles Landing Winery.  Entertainment will be provided by the Hanson Sisters.

The Friday evening “Tingle ‘N Mingle” will be held Friday, November 14 from 5-8 p.m. and is sponsored by Four County Ag of Postville. This event is a special opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers after work. Many tables of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, candies, breads and spirits will be served among the trees throughout the evening and will be catered by B.E. Catered, Jim and Charlene Baxter and Mary Engrav. Special holiday entertainment that evening will include Rev. Susan Kimstra, Lane Rich, Sarah Bieber, and Tim and Lindsey Lund. Tickets for this event can be purchased at Veterans Memorial Hospital, from all local banks or at the door.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, children will be given a special chance to see the Fantasy, plus have a visit with Santa Claus. Story telling by Sue Kiesau will add to the excitement. Katie Hennessy of Cote’Color Photography will be on hand for a holiday Christmas card/picture opportunity for children with Santa Claus. These photos will be available for purchase.

The Christmas Fantasy 2014 event will be open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons. Entertainment Saturday afternoon will include Lois Fossum’s piano students. Sunday afternoon, entertainment will feature area children’s choirs including the St. John’s Lutheran Children’s Choir and the St. Pat’s School Choir, and piano students of Lane Rich, Lindsey Lund and Tim Lund.

Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., Marcia Hesse’s Bright Beginning’s Pre-Kindergarten Class will be performing for the area nursing home residents attending the Fantasy as well as the public. 

Christmas treats and cider will be offered during these public showings. Preschool children enter the Fantasy free of charge, but must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a $1 charge for children under 12, and a $3 charge for adults at the general viewings.

Numerous silent auction items will be available for purchase through a silent bid that will continue over the course of this four-day event. These door and wall decorations, centerpieces, gift baskets, chairs, quilts and mini-trees will be silent auctioned with the highest bidder winning the purchase at 7 p.m. Monday evening, November 17. Until that closing time, bidders can return, free of charge, to the Fantasy and raise their bid.

The “Let It Be Christmas” Christmas Fantasy 2014 is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Lori Bahr-Stevenson, Wayne Burk, Jane Dietrich, Jackie Halverson, Kevin Hanson, Randy Hesse, Amy Cote’-Hill, Gloria Krambeer, Craig Lensing, Dennis Lyons, Jody Peterson, Nancy Schoh, Nona Sawyer, Sue Schlitter and Bill Shafer, assisted by Kim Sylvester, Karen Swenson, Julie Thompson and Pat Pettingill.

For more information on the "Let It Be Christmas" 2014 Christmas Fantasy, see the full color advertisement placed on Page 8A in this week's issue of The Standard or call Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation members Sue Schlitter at 563-568-2438 or Gloria Krambeer at 563-568-3182.