Festival Of Trees Announces Winners

Event Deemed A Success

The inaugural Festival of Trees event last week at the McKinney Performing Arts Center raised more than $32,000 for Project Graduation. More than 2,000 people viewed the exhibit.

"We’ve received nothing but positive comments from the public and already have people telling us that they want to sponsor trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, etc., next year," event organizer Cheryl True wrote in an e-mail. "

Thursday, the Festival of Trees announced its Award Winners as chosen by public vote from more than 95 entrants in four categories.

Best Use of Theme
Wreaths - Jingle All The Way, sponsored by The Little Red Hen and decorated by Lynn Doyle
Table Top Trees – Twelve Days of Christmas, sponsored by Glen Oaks Elementary PTO and decorated by Lisa Taylor and Shelaine O’Keefe
Gingerbread Houses – Peace on Earth, sponsored and decorated by Robin Donner
7-ft Trees – Cindy Lou Who, sponsored by Mike and Lisa Henneman and decorated by Izabella Dorsey and Karli Henneman

Most Creative Use of Material
Wreaths – Christmas Chandelier Wreath, sponsored by Acanthus and decorated by Kari Nawa and Sandy Parker
Table Top Trees – Diva’s Dream, sponsored by Faubion Middle School PTO and decorated by Mary Vicario
Gingerbread Houses – Victorian Christmas, sponsored and decorated by Scott Johnson Middle School FCA Leadership Team
7-ft Trees – The “Man” Tree, sponsored and decorated by “The Men’s Team” of Keller Williams Realty McKinney.  (This tree is on display at Pat Lobb Toyota in McKinney)

Best of Show
Wreaths – There was a tie between Angelic, sponsored and decorated by Rosemary Wisniewsky and the Christmas Chandelier Wreath, sponsored by Acanthus and decorated by Kari Nawa and Sandy Parker
Table Top Trees – Tigers, sponsored by Scott Johnson Middle School PTO and decorated by Karin Dorey, Corey Lucania and Wendy Fair
Gingerbread Houses – A Childhood Dream, sponsored by The Cake Stand and decorated by Tamara Heath
7-ft Trees – McKinney: Unique by Nature, sponsored by McKinney High PTO and decorated by Bobbi Hanna, Marcia Hosea, Kathy Johnston, Mary Ellen Lewis and Kathie Myhre.

The winner of the “Upside Down Tree” was Paula Young.