Event raises funds for community

Jen Kocher
NLJ Correspondent
 
H
er arms felt like they were about to fall off, Beverly Mutchler admitted, as she hoisted Salt Creek Veterinary Clinic’s wreath, complete with a pair of decorative steel horseshoes, above her head to demonstrate. She and her fellow “Wheel of Fortune” ‘Vannas,’ as auctioneer Smokey Mark Stenson referred to them, had already taken several spins along the circumference of the Weston County Senior Services Center as they paraded wreaths before the roomful of eager bidders at the Festival of the Trees auction on Friday night.
Though the wreaths were heavy, the weight and temporary ache of their arms were nothing compared with the enthusiasm of the crowd, who raised their paddles and shouted bids as the women made their rounds.
“Everyone’s having so much fun,” Mutchler said. “It’s pretty contagious.”
The other Vannas agreed, including Pinnacle Bank employee Rachel Blumenthal, who was working that night despite a taped shoulder, which had, at that point in the evening, pretty much gone numb.
“It’s fine,” she said, with a wave of her hand. “It just feels good to be giving back to the community and participating in such a worthy event.”
In total, 45 wreaths and two trees went to the highest bidders in Pinnacle Bank’s 16th annual Festival of Trees, a fundraiser in support of local nonprofit and support agencies. This year, all proceeds went to Weston County Children’s Center, Weston County Search and Rescue, Weston County Peace Officers Association and the American Legion Auxiliary. More than $25,000 was raised for the organizations.
And though attendance appeared to be slightly lower this year given the handful of other competing events that night, it was hard to tell. The room was full of packed tables as attendees milled through the appetizer bar and tried wines and beers while waiting for the auction to begin.
One longtime attendee, Dana Mann-Tavegia, has gone to the event as long as it’s been in existence, back to the days when it was still held in the lobby of Pinnacle Bank. She recalled that the first year the auction moved to the Senior Center, it was still just a handful of tables packed into the center of the room.
This event has come a long way, she noted, and like the others there that night, she had her wallet out and was ready to bid. 
“It’s a wonderful event,” she said. “I come every year.”
The wreaths only continued to get cleverer and more elaborate over time, Stenson said, pointing out Rustic Buck Design’s “Tequila makes your skates fall off,” “Drink up Grinches” and the Friends of the NRA’s “Pistol Popping Christmas,” with a .22 North American Arms pistol attached in a mounted belt, to name a few. 
Others, such as Mobile Massage’s “The World Needs More Cowboys” wreath came attached to a wooden fence, while other wreaths were lit with blinking lights, glittery ice skates and a host of different sparkly snowmen and other holiday-inspired décor. 
On the low end, a couple of wreaths sold for just under $100, while others, such as 21 Electric’s blinking Cowboy Joe wreath sold for upwards of $2,000. Decker’s Market, Black Hills Dental and Wyoming Refinery Co. were counted among the more prolific bidders.
Tonya Christensen arrived at the last minute to throw in the $600 final bid for the “Elf on the Shelf” Christmas tree to end the night.
“My kids ought to be happy to see me tonight,” she joked, as she questioned how she was going to get it home in one piece.
As many local businesses and individuals cast their bids and collected their wreaths at the end of the night, many others were just happy to sit side by side with neighbors and friends and whoop and clap in camaraderie and show their support for such a worthy cause. 
“This is the best part of living in a small town,” Carol Mark said. “This is by far one of the best nights of the entire year.”