"All I Want for Christmas is a Bread Tree!' by past EAC Director and noted baker Chris Grannis is just one of more than two dozen appealing trees up for silent bid at EAC's annual holiday fundraiser, the Festival of Trees, offered from 4:30-6 pm, Saturday, December 14. Others include 'Folk Art Jingle' by Stephanie Thomas; 'Christmas Cheers!' from Horn Run Brewing and ''Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree with WSHD' by Joan Lowden.
The event features a raffle of gift items donated by local artists and businesses, seasonal favorite tunes on piano, and refreshments, all supporting the main event of the tree auction. The jovial social gathering serves a multifaceted role: a warm holiday mixer for our community; an opportunity for attendees to obtain one-of-a-kind decorations and gifts; and a fun and easy way to support EAC's accessible programs for all ages.
A quartet of sneak peeks—above are a few of the items available in the gift raffle, donated by local businesses and artists: a handmade blown glass bowl with tea light from Eastport Breakwater Gallery (clockwise from top left); a decorative trio of Santas from Tonya Steinen; a pair of whimsical crocheted chicken trivets by Brenda MacArthur; and a set including Sugar and Spice scent bath salts, scrub and whipped tallow from Botanical Blossoms.
“I love the emotions that Christmas music brings out in all of us,” notes pianist Chris Farr, who’ll return to perform at this year’s Festival. “Memories of family events, places and people come alive again when you hear these tunes, whether they are secular or sacred. My favorite carol is “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Holst's melody is haunting. My grandmother singing “Away in a Manger” is my earliest memory. And I enjoy how “The Huron Carol” can be played as a jazz waltz or “White Christmas” can grow with improvisations as a ballad.
Born in England and raised in Ottawa, Farr studied physics in college, then had a series of careers: medical imaging and radiation therapy technology; running a bed-and-breakfast in Kennebunkport; and working as a healthcare consultant all over the world. Since his retirement, he has enjoyed pursuing his passions—piano and photography—in Lubec.
In addition to those mentioned above, the Center’s 15th Annual Festival of Trees will include the following decorators and their creations:
The Lubec Campobello Community Theatre with 'Hands Across the Sea'; St. Croix International Garden Club with ‘Garden by the Sea’; Susan Ober, Donna Parlin and Gayle Wigley with ‘The Stars are Out Over Eastport’; Jessica and Rachel Williams with 'Wish You A Merry Chickmas'; Lysa Intrator with ‘The Tailor of Pembroke’; Helen Swallow with ‘Ho Ho Ho Pickilooooo’; Kathy Lewis with 'Snow Drift'; Georgie Kendall and Michaelynn Cecire with 'Rhubarb is Sexy'; Amy Ray with ‘Now Is the Time for Joy’; Jeanne Peacock and Cynthia Morse with ‘Have a Very Green Christmas’; David Oja with ‘Kindness Tree Spark’; Kelly Grieco with ‘No Place Like Gnome for the Holidays’; Alison Ross for Eastport Gallery with 'Hope!'; Amy Dicenzo with Gingerbread Lane; Claudia de Vries with ‘Do-nut be bad!’; Andrea Linton with ‘Nuttin but Buttons for Christmas’; Meg McGarvey with ‘Tide Tree’; Alberta Hunter with ‘Christmas Carol’; Catherine Lee with ‘Inked Crewwork Tree’; Janine LaForge with ‘A Crystal Christmas’; Nia Aretakis and Ann Cannizzaro with ‘Forest Garden’; and Jenny Gillies, Kate Wilson and Katie, Emma and Ada Melancon with ‘A Magical Unicorn Christmas’.
Special thanks to Georgie Kendall, Kendall Farm Cottages, for donating lush trees for the event, and Cynthia Morse of the EAC Board for organizing the event.
Following are a group of images from last year's festivities—from decorators at work at the decorating party to some individual ornament 'glamour' shots, to the full forest aglow, to high bidders happily taking their trees home afterwards!
