Festival of Wreaths goes online

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
For the past 20 years, the Festival of Trees has been a major fundraising event to benefit nonprofit organizations. But with the shutdown of the Weston County Senior Citizen Center due to COVID-19, the venue customarily used for the auction is no longer available, and Pinnacle Bank, the event sponsor, decided to cancel that event for this year. 
However, Pam Gualtieri said that, after thinking about the situation, she contacted Pinnacle Bank to see if she could do something. She didn’t want to take the event away from the bank but thought there had to be a way to keep the fundraiser going without violating social distancing guidelines. She pitched an idea to have an online auction, and Pinnacle Bank wanted to be a part of it. 
Pam also talked to Matt Ramsey to see if his online auction services would be available. Ramsey agreed to donate his services. And, so, the Festival of Trees has become the Festival of Wreaths for this year.
“It’s like everything came about perfectly,” Pam said. “All three florists in town are getting the wreaths. Pinnacle Bank is still buying them and sponsoring the event. … Matt is letting us use his site.” Gualtieri was also excited that 36 businesses had agreed to participate as of Friday. She feels confident, she said, that people will decorate all 45 wreaths to be auctioned this year. 
Because the online auction is nationwide, the wreaths will be
artificial instead of natural. This change caused a bit of a problem with the florists, who usually pre-order their wreaths in January for the next Christmas season. But with the many changes happening and the wreaths being artificial, there was a scramble to get enough wreaths.
Jeri Tapp of Treasured Florals and Gifts mentioned terrific cooperation between the florists. 
“We help each other,” Tapp said. “Suzi (Gibson, Flowers & Things) and I talked just this week about the problem. We pull together and always make it happen.”
“We had a hard time to get wreaths,” said Gibson. “We all had to scramble, but we got ’er done.”
Sage Brush Marketing, a local ad agency, will take care of that aspect of the event. In addition to Pinnacle Bank, Pizza Barn, Antlers, Treasured Florals and Gifts, Flowers & Things and Decker’s Floral & Gifts are also sponsoring the event. Gualtieri said she is thankful for how the businesses have already pulled together to make Festival of Wreaths happen.
“I can’t believe the outpouring and involvement of the community,” She said, “This COVID thing is almost like our (Newcastle’s) 911. It’s trying to kill our town. But we are overcoming and really pulling together to get through it and survive.”
The funds raised by the auction will go toward two registered nonprofit organizations. Several organizations have been contacted, but they need to call Pam Gualtieri by Dec. 1 for consideration. Her phone number is (307) 941-0573. 
“That’s the hardest part of this, for me,” Gualtieri said. “I’m just glad I’m not deciding which nonprofits are getting the money by myself.” She noted that Pinnacle Bank is also helping to choose the two charities that will benefit.
The auction takes place from Dec. 7-12. Anyone interested in the online auction needs to register at ramseyauctions.hibid.com to place a bid.
Those interested in decorating a wreath or those who wish to view them before the event may also call Gualtieri. She will do what she can to accommodate all while maintaining safe social distancing practices, she said.
The wreaths will soon be available to be picked up at the Antlers. Once received, they need to be decorated and returned to Gualtieri by Dec 5.
She would like to challenge anyone to make a wreath for this fund-raising event, even some school groups. People will also be able to vote for people’s choice for the best wreath.
“Putting this together as fast as it has been done,” Gualtieri said, “I couldn’t be prouder of everyone who has participated in it. I got kind of teary-eyed when I realized just how fast and easy the businesses have made this event happen. 
“I really see our community pull together and help each other. It just reminds me every day how proud I am and how much I love this small town. I love the fact that we know each other, good or bad, and we’re always there to help. It’s amazing.”