Many people connected to Sertoma help out with the festival but its biggest Sertoma asset is Lynn Franz. Lynn puts her considerable expertise to work each year designing and decorating trees for many organization including Sertoma. This was a special year for the Franz family since they sponsored their very own tree. It was dedicated the Lynn's grandparents who both were residents of Bethany.

Tina Dunlap, the coordinator of the event, is a member of Sertoma and this is her first year planning this extravagant event. Our special trip to the Festival of trees involved a scrumptious lunch, entertainment and individual cards for each Sertoma member presented by the Lowell and Baxter third grade classes who were also visiting the event.  Both groups sang to us and the Lowell group showed off their studies of German in their songs.

Tina was loquacious in her praise of the Madden's staff for their excellent preparation of food for all the events so far.  She explained that the tree that has brought in the most money so far (6 remain on the silent auction) is the one entitled "Harry's Magical Tree" that was decorated by the Nisswa Women's Club. Our own Sertoma tree was second. All monies go to the Good Samaritan Hospice, a service that treats the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those facing an uncertain future with the stress on providing care in the patient's home.

The tallest tree in the center of the display was the Good Samaritan Hospice Tree. Tree number six which was out in the lobby isn't decorated but will be when it arrives at its new home at Confidence Learning Center. So many of the trees are purchased and donated back to the community. The Riverside School children bought the Bremer Tree and donated it Kinship.

Sertoma members whose businesses sponsored trees included: Tom Steiger and the Floor to Ceiling Store, Bremer Bank (Joyce Anderson, Bryan Barrer, Aaron Meester, Veronica Jensen), American National Bank (Joyce Seymour and Reed Campbell)  Rising Star" by Beth Burnard and group, It Figures Fitness (Laura Beilke), Dreambuilders Construction (Hawk and Verna), and Wonderland by the Office Shop (Tammy Webb).

Others who donated items or services included Jackie McCall from Midwest Family Eye, Andy Holmes from Associates in Eyecare, Julie Sullivan from Max's Liquor, Mark Hegstrom from BL Broadcasting, David Pundt from KLakes, and Paul Gropper and Lakes Printing.

Thanks for a very well planned event that definitely got the Sertomans in a Holiday Spirit.  Go to the Sertoma albums to see the rest of the pictures.

• John Raboin introduced himself and had to ask what the "crooked" fork was on top of his plate (it was the dessert fork for the scrumptious chocolate cake)
• Dick Stoltman ended up with glitter on himself somehow and needed a note for his wife to prove he was at Sertoma and not at the girly bar.
• Dave Clausen received a very cute Thanksgiving card from a creative third grader--we all got a kick out of the road kill in his picture.
• The third graders all wrote poems for Thanksgiving to include in their cards so here is my contribution.
  Thanksgiving at Sertoma is a time to be thankful for the:
  Beauty of Brainerd.Camaraderie of the club.
  Community that supports charities and causes wholeheartedly, and
  Sense of family and belonging that comes from sharing.

Kari Barnes and her assistant Cathy Picek are the go-to folks for Pipe and Drape information.

Need awards? Did you lose your pin? Tami Webb is the person in charge of awards and meeting paraphernalia.