FESTIVAL OF TREES' 10th ANNIVERSARY A HUGE SUCCESS

Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC) celebrated their 10th Anniversary of Festival of Tree, themed "Gifts for All Seasons." November 17 - 24th. Festivities commenced with the Black Tie Gala and Auction Saturday evening.

Music from the Bret Harte Brass, welcomed guests as they arrived for a champagne reception and Silent Auction in Ironstone's Culinary Center in Murphys. Soroptimist's magnificent raffle tree, Santa's Elegant Forest sponsored by Vintage Realty, graced the entrance to the Culinary Center where guests flocked to purchase a chance to win.
	Guests enjoyed a full sit-down gourmet dinner in the Alhambra Music Room. Immediately following they were entertained by soloist Jennifer Walmer, singing "Do it Anyway", encouraging women and girls to follow their dreams. Jennifer is Human Resources Director at the Haven Women's Crisis Center in Modesto and the daughter of Kathi Flores, our 2006/2007 SICC President.

Jake Parnell of the Stokes Auction Group, was instrumental in bringing in thousands of dollars, as trees, and "Gifts for All Seasons" were auctioned off during the lively bidding.

Bidder # 236 is Feliciano Jiron, President, Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital	Bidder #289 is Soroptimist member Shirley Ryan
	Heidi Robertson, mother of two teenagers, gave an emotional testimony, thanking Soroptimists for the wheel chair ramp they donated through their Touching Lives program that allows her mobility and a way to get out of the house as she struggles with multiple scoliosis. Her testimony helped to raise hundreds of dollars in "Gift of Love" donations.
Susan Benbrahim, Heidi Robertson and her mother Nadine

The Gala celebration concluded with guests dancing the night away to the fun-loving Favoritz Band.

Teddy Bear Tea a Sellout Again This Year!

Children dressed in their finest, joined by they their families, filled Ironstone's music room Sunday for the Teddy Bear Tea. Guests enjoyed a high tea, with a variety of entertainment as jugglers, clowns, dancers and singers mesmerized the little ones.

	Mountain Mischief duo swallow fire while Studio 4 Dancers await their queue.
Thrilling raffle prizes, donated by area businesses, were drawn and included bicycles, teddy bears, and a variety of favorite toys.

Promenade of Trees

The general public had an opportunity to view the trees and "Gifts for All Seasons" free of charge November 19 thru 24 and were given the opportunity to purchase a chance to win the magnificent raffle tree and judge the trees in various categories.

Mikki Riggs and Ruth Mercer putting the finishing touches on their Afternoon Tea creation	Jungle Fever decorated by by Sherri Holmes	I Dream of Purple decorated by Linda Weist

Behind the scenes….

Our Festival of Trees Committee Chairmen

Event Coordinator: Chyrl Hillis
Black Tie Gala: Karen Varni, Linda Weist & Shirley Ryan
Teddy Bear Tea: Dree Hedrick, Gloria Correy & Lynn Darmsted
Sponsor Appreciation Reception: Paulette Stelte & Teddi Paul
Reservations: Karen Strand & Gloria Correy
Invitations & Program: Shirley Ryan
Silent Auction: Teddi Paul, Karen Varni & Linda Weist
Decorations & Raffle Tree: Linda Weist
Tree Delivery: Karen Strand
Volunteers: Chris Doty & Wendy Palmer
Publicity: Kathi Flores
Facilities: Pat Garbez
Event Treasurer: Susan Bresee

Thank You for a Successful Festival of Trees

Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC) sends a very special thank you to everyone who supported Festival of Trees' 10th Anniversary celebration. Our generous underwriters, non-profit partners, sponsors, countless volunteers, attendees, those who purchased auction items and of course the special women of SICC who teamed together to make Festival of Trees 2007 a huge success. You are the ones who allow us to continue our vital programs - improving the lives of women and girls in our community and throughout the world.

Our Programs

Proceeds from Festival of Trees support women, children and families of Calaveras County, local charitable organizations and programs such as the Take Women to Heart Campaign, Relay for Life, the Calaveras County Women's Crisis Center, college scholarships, and grants to head of household women desiring to continue their education and Soroptimist programs worldwide. SICC's own Touching Lives program assists qualified local residents with medically related needs not met by insurance or other sources.

Gifts of Love are accepted year round:
SICC
P.O. Box 696
Angels Camp, CA 95222

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - December 3, 2006

Dearest Friends,

Once again, Festival of Trees is behind us and what a magical event it was. Many of us were consumed with the planning, the worries and what seemed like endless work. Nevertheless, we were rewarded again with many successes.

Our generous sponsors donated thousands of dollars, allowing our imaginative decorators to create a forest of whimsical to elegant Christmas Trees. Our guests appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves at the gala, with the scrumptious dinner, bubbling champagne, carolers, festive silent auction, and exciting live auction. Everyone I spoke with raved about Rose Backs, our auctioneer, who seemed to be having a wonderful time as well, while radiating lots of energy!

We were especially honored to have our SPR District III Director Catherine Santa Maria and her husband present - who were successful high bidders of one of our trees!

As always, the Teddy Bear Tea was enchanting with the little ones in anticipation of the magical afternoon.

Please know that it is only because of all of you and your teamwork, that we are able to present such a fantastic event. A big thank you to every one of our committee chairmen, volunteers, sponsors and most especially to our Event Chairman, Bonnie Schaefer, who spent endless hours (and I'm sure sleepless nights) planning the event with great vision and organization, Chyrl Hillis our Facilities Chairman, who kept us all on task, Lee Croletto and Karen Strand for soliciting and pulling together all of our great sponsors, Dree and Gloria for once again making the Teddy Bear Tea seem effortless, and Susan Breese, a relatively new member, for taking on the challenging duties of Treasurer. I am truly honored to be President of such an incredible and dedicated group of women.

Warmest regards,

President Kathi

FESTIVAL of TREES 2006 BRINGS PROFITS OVER $38,000

Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC) celebrated their 9th Annual Festival of Trees, November 18–25, a trio of events held in the Grand Music Room at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys. This year’s profit of over $38,000 will benefit SICC’s community programs and grants scheduled in 2007-2008.

The Black Tie Gala, themed, “Mystical, Magical Holidays” included a champagne reception, a full sit-down gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing to the talents of Sound Extreme among a forest of spectacular Christmas trees.

President Kathi Flores and District III Director Catherine Santa Maria.	Linda Weist prepares for raffle tree sales

The Teddy Bear Tea, themed “Teddy Bears Around the World,” featured a festive formal tea with clowns, storytelling, magic, singing of holiday classics, and a visit by Teddi the Teddy Bear and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Festival of Trees is SICC’s only major fundraiser, supporting many exciting community programs throughout the year including:

• College scholarships to Calaveras County high school students
• Women's Opportunity Award grants to head-of-household women desiring to improve their job skills through continuing education
• Health & Fitness Camp Scholarships
• SI Calaveras County's Touching Lives program to assist qualified local residents with medically-related needs not met by insurance or other channels
• Baby Think it Over - Teenage Pregnancy Awareness Grants
• Women's Crisis Center support
• Take Women to Heart Campaign - Cholesterol Screening Tests
• Youth Mentoring Program
• Saturday of Service
• Foster Kids Program
• Relay for Life

For the past two years, SICC has supported the Take Women to Heart campaign with contributions over $4500, partnering with Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital, and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women program, SI Calaveras County offered free testing to all Calaveras County women during the months of April and May. The comprehensive cholesterol testing measures good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides, including a risk evaluation for heart disease and stroke. The campaign spread awareness to fight this number-one killer of women.

Since its inception in 1998, the Festival of Trees has raised close to $185,000 for these and other community service projects and awards.

“Gift of Love” tax-deductible donations are accepted year round: Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC), P.O. Box 716, Murphys, CA 95247. Contributors have the pleasure of knowing that they have touched many lives within the community.

Letters… An excerpt of a letter received from The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV): We would like to thank you for your recent donation of $421 to the Domestic Violence Hurricane Relief Fund. Your donation made a difference to a battered woman and her two children by helping her relocate to Baton Rouge to live with her extended family.

Sincerely,
Merni Carter, Executive Director

Editor’s Note: These funds were raised at Festival of Trees 2005, specifically from our “Spirit of New Orleans” tree, decorated by Linda Strangio with decorations provided by Linda and Roberta.

FESTIVAL AUCTION WINNERS ENJOY ITALIAN DINNER PARTY

Our Soroptimist Italian Dinner party was a success again this year, thanks to Teddi and John Paul who generously opened their lovely home and gardens, and to all those who worked so hard to ensure that our guests had a wonderful time!

Mark & Terri Wilson, who won the auctioned dinner at the 2005's Festival of Trees Gala, and six of their invited guests, were wined and dined in fine Italian Country style. The scent of gardenias in the breeze and flowers in bloom framed a magnificent view of the hills at sunset. Paulette Stelte and Gloria Correy greeted the guests as they arrived at the garden entrance with "Bella, Bella," bottles of wine, loaves of French bread and what little Italian they knew. Welcoming servers Trisha Frazier, Shirley Ryan & Judy Ortner, all dressed in white dress shirts with red ties, black slacks, red cummerbunds and Italian gondola hats, attended to guests' every need.

Teddi's kitchen was buzzing with activity as chefs Lynn Darmsted, Teddi Paul & Dree Hedrick prepared the delightful cuisine. Behind the scenes, Chyrl Hillis, Roberta Bean, Margo Mohn, Chris Doty and Wendy Palmer kept the kitchen tidy as various courses were served.

The feast commenced with appetizers of fresh figs and grapes and gourmet pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. Starters included Dree Hedrick's Minestrone soup, with a mixed green salad. The scrumptious main course of Chicken Parmesan was prepared by Chef Lynn Darmsted, and was served with gorgonzola foccasia bread from Aria Bakery in Murphys For dessert, guests were treated to Teddi Paul's delectable Chocolate-Hazelnut Mousse cake served with Lavender Ridge Port.

As a special treat, Brice Gilpin age10 and her sister Morgan age 7 played classical violin pieces. Dressed in cowboy hat and boots, they finished with Boil the Cabbage, a cowboy tune reminiscent of a hoedown.

The Wilson's and their guests vowed to be back again next year!

Revised December 11, 2007