Welcome the Holidays
The 31st edition of Welcome the Holidays, our annual fundraiser, took place on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Sunnehanna Country Club from 11am-2pm. The proceeds from this event support our Community Treasury-funded projects such as Bird Committee, Civic Development, Conservation/Environment, Flower Show, Helping Hands of Cambria County, Horticulture Therapy, Youth Gardeners, and Scholarships.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious holiday luncheon, style show with fashions from Gold Rush Boutique of Ebensburg and a design program. The theme this year was “Candy Cane Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses.” Club member, Andy Fedor, was the speaker and he presented fresh ideas on holiday decorating.
There were a range of prizes awarded: raffle of garden related items, lottery tree, a money tree, 50/50 raffle, door prizes and a Glamour Galore Raffle. The three Glamour Galore packages were: a Fashion and Jewelry package, a Kate Spade designer purse package and an All Around the Town restaurant and symphony ticket package. This year there was a Silent Auction of ‘gently used” art.
Orders for Christmas Wreaths were taken.
Andy’s Presentation
A Variety of Ideas—-Using Fresh Greens
A Fabulous Lit Tree
Two Smaller Scale Ideas
Fashion Show
Featuring models from
Garden Club of Johnstown
with fashions from
Gold Rush Boutique, Ebensburg, PA
With a Special Guest Appearance
Fresh Ideas for Holiday Decorating
Andy Fedore, a GC of Johnstown member and the presenter for the event readies his design ideas.
Table and Mantle Decor
These decorations are determined by the year’s theme: “Candy Cane Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses.”
An attractive centerpiece makes the table. A mockup design of the centerpiece is done and materials are obtained. This year, vegetable cans were recycled and spray painted white; a ribbon was added. Greens, berries and a candy cane completed the design.
The program booklet and mantle decor follow through with the theme.
Many club members contribute to the decorations. This year, Carla Straw did the program booklet, Cozzette Hupkovich decorated the mantels and Mary Jo Gardill and Sheri Lowry worked on designing the centerpiece. We all agree they did a fabulous job!
Raffle and Silent Auction Items were Readied
Before the luncheon and program, raffle items were set up—ready for customers to buy chances the next day. A silent auction of gently used artwork was new this year. All proceeds from the luncheon benefit our community fund for community projects.
Fresh Wreaths
For the first time, the club decided to sell fresh wreaths. Orders were taken before and at the luncheon.
A booth was set up at the luncheon to take orders and customers could choose the color ribbon that would be best for their decor. Wreaths were available for pick up the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Garden club members make bows for the wreaths after one of our regular meetings. The plain wreaths were brought to the Westmont Presbyterian Church, our usual meeting place. Three pine cones were wired together and three sets of each were attached to each wreath. Bows were added to complete the wreath. Some dried artichokes could be added instead of pine cones.
Artichoke Decorations
A unique decoration for sale at the luncheon were dried artichokes. Boxes of artichokes were purchased and GC members stuffed the layers with paper towels to dry them. When this procedure was finished, they could be left as is or painted another color. They could be used alone, added to wreaths or??? You’re only limited by your imagination!
