Some years ago, Patricia Wilson took her mother, Beatrice Elwell, to the Good Will-Hinckley School in Fairfield, where the school for troubled youth hosts a Festival of Trees.
Each year since 1991, locals decorate 20 Christmas trees as a fundraiser for the school. The sight was so beautiful, and Elwell loved Christmas so much, that Wilson decided to launch a similar festival at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church.
Westbrook’s Festival of Trees is now entering its seventh year, and in each year running it has raised more money than the previous one for a variety of city charities. Last year, the festival raised about $10,000 for the church, the Westbrook Community Chamber, the Healthy Families Partnership, the Mission Possible Teen Center and the Food Pantry.
But this year, Wilson has had to take a step back from her event. On Monday, she went into surgery to have a tumor removed from behind her eye.
“Best news. They don’t think it’s malignant,” said Roberta Morrill, who has stepped into Wilson’s place to finish up the last few weeks of organizing.
Wilson was able to return home the same day she had the surgery.
“It could not have gone better,” said the Rev. Ed DeLong, Westbrook-Warren’s pastor.
Nonetheless, Wilson will be recovering for some time. DeLong said he’s not certain if Wilson will be able to attend this year’s festival.
According to the records Morrill has, Wilson’s festival has raised around $40,000 for charities since its inception, and has grown into a week of events. The first year the festival was host to about 20 trees, Morrill said. This year, there will be 47 trees sponsored and decorated by various local groups and businesses. The forest of Christmas trees will all be on display inside the church from Friday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 8.
“It’s a good fundraiser,” said DeLong. “If people haven’t been, they should wander over and check it out.”
Along with the trees are nine days and evenings of events. Opening the festival Nov. 30, will be an Advent service with a number of people from the community, including Mayor Bruce Chuluda, Police Chief Bill Baker, Morrill and others speaking on “What are you waiting for?” The Rev. Tom Chittick of the Trinity Lutheran Church will also speak, and the Westbrook High School Jazz Ensemble and combined choirs from several churches will be performing, as well.
Other event particulars to note:
The Festival Feast on Dec. 1. will be a pork roast dinner and requires advance tickets available at the church office. That evening’s sleigh ride will be wagon or sleigh, depending on the weather, but will include Christmas carols in either case.
The Dec. 2 Teddy Bear Tea Party is an opportunity for children to bring their teddy bears for snacks, and the Christian Education Family night will be a family event with Christmas activities.
The Dec. 4 Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is an event inspired by church member Marion Broaddus, and brings people out from their retirement and nursing homes. It also includes hats and china.
On Dec. 5 Logos, a youth group of sixth-graders through high school at the church, will have a communion service.
The Congin Canal Chorus, made up of students from the two elementary schools, will perform on Dec. 6.
The Dec. 7 Tips for Charity event, an inexpensive soup and sandwich luncheon that asks for big serving tips for charity, will be hosted by (in no particular order) Brendan Rielly, Ed Symbol, Suzanne Joyce, Mike Foley, Bruce Chuluda, Patty Kenney, Cleta Stockwell, Ed DeLong, Player Garvey, John Bernier, John Roberts, Bill Baker, Bruce Doughty, Matt Gilligan, Colleen Hilton, Ray Richardson and Todd Fields. Mike Stockwell will be playing the piano.
On Dec. 8, the Mystery Gift Tree will cost $10 to take a chance on a mystery gift. All the gifts are priced $20 and up, with the big prize being a diamond from Maine Gold and Silver.
Other attractions include Paul Corbett’s railroad trains, which fill the entire Sunday School room, and a raffle for a foot-high decorated Christmas tree enclosed in a glass dome, made by Ruth Shadbolt.
All events take place at the church, at 810 Main St.
Viewing hours are Friday, Nov. 30: 6-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 2, 12-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m.; Monday, Dec.3, 10 a.m.-noon; 6-8 p.m. (senior citizens meet in the afternoon); Tuesday, Dec. 4-Friday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The festival schedule includes:
Nov. 30: Ecumenical service, Blessing of the Trees and Grand Opening Night, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 1: Breakfast with Santa, 9-10:30 a.m.; Festival Feast, 6 p.m. (need advance tickets); sleigh ride, 7.
Dec. 2: Teddy Bear Tea Party, 1 p.m.; Christian Education Family Night, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 3: Celebration Choir, 6-8 p.m., performance at 7 p.m.
Dec. 4: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, 1-3 p.m.; Woman’s Club Chorus, 6-8 p.m.,
Dec. 5: Logos teenage group, 6-8 p.m.; service at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 6: Congin Canal Chorus, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 7: Tips for Charity Luncheon,11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Cabaret, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 8: Mystery Gift Tree, 9 a.m.; closing mid-afternoon
The schedule for viewing Paul Corbett’s railroad trains is
Nov 30, 5-7 p.m.; Dec 1, 8 a.m.-noon, 4-7 p.m.; Dec 2, 2-4 p.m.; Dec 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dec 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dec 6, noon-2 p.m., 5 -7 p.m.; Dec 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-8 p.m.; Dec 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Specials Days (these groups or organizations will be sponsoring days during the festival. They are deemed special sponsors because they are providing refreshments for that day as well as doing all of the host and hosting for that day) include:
Nov. 30, Festival of Trees
Dec. 1, Logos
Dec. 2, Christian Education Committee
Dec. 3, Westbrook Kiwanis; Dec. 4, Westbrook Woman’s Club
Dec. 5, Youth Alternatives
Dec. 6, Westbrook Historical Society
Dec. 7, Trinity Lutheran Church
Dec. 8, Prides Corner Garden Club
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