“Baby It’s Cold Outside” Drive-through Christmas Fantasy a success


Christmas Fantasy Silent Auction ... Nearly 100 silent auction items, like the ones pictured here, were donated to this year’s Christmas Fantasy and auctioned off online thanks to the Sweeney Auction Service Hibid system. The Foundation expresses its appreciation to the hundreds of people who decorated or contributed in some way to make this Covid-safe community event so successful. Submitted photo.

The 2021 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy was held November 18-22 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. This was the 30th annual Fantasy celebration and was held as an outdoor drive-through event with online silent auction in order to keep the event Covid-safe for the second year in a row.

Nearly 100 silent auction items were donated and available for viewing in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. All bidding was completed on-line for the first time ever, thanks to Sweeney Auction Service.

Over 20 lighted displays filled the grounds in front of the Pavilion this year, all of which were created with very original designs and decorations. Those decorators and sponsors included the following: VMH Birthing Center sponsored by Beneke and Associates, Bailey and Jarod Estebo sponsored by Martin Grau Funeral Home, VMH Nurses sponsored by Gundersen Medical Clinic-Waukon; TASC sponsored by Welch Feed and LP; Waukon Chamber of Commerce sponsored by Lydon Electric Motors; Bright Beginnings Pre-K Class sponsored by Hartig Drug; Allamakee Music Boosters sponsored by Bieber  Insurance and Real Estate; FBLA sponsored by Floor’s Plus; Allamakee Scholarship Fund sponsored by Kelly Concrete; Caring Hearts Infant Loss Support Group sponsored by Systems Equipment; MOSAIC sponsored by Builders First Choice; Mary Dehli, Teresa Schaefers and Claire Butchkoski sponsored by JaDecc’s and the Copy Shoppe; First Presbyterian Church sponsored by Gordy’s Auto Body; Stelettos on Steel sponsored by Iron Hill Power Sports; Waukon Fire Department sponsored by People’s State Bank; Paula Wagner sponsored by Culligan of Waukon; VMH Ambulance sponsored by Kurth Plumbing and Heating; the Gazebo sponsored by Rev Lonning and Santa’s Sleigh sponsored by Teslow’s Formal Wear and Guest House.  Those decorating and sponsoring their own displays at the Fantasy included Waukon Lions Club, Waukon State Bank, Freedom Bank, Good Samaritan Society of Waukon; Waukon Feed Ranch, Kerndt Brothers Bank and the Allamakee Education Association.

Donations to the event were received by the Allamakee County Fairboard, Jenny Rosendahl, Kerr Electric, Bruening Rock Products, Clark Tire Pros, KolGol, Waukon City Club, Quillin’s Food Ranch, Red Geranium Flowers and Gifts, Allamakee County Cattlemen, Waukon High School FBLA, BE Catered, Rich Schulte Catering, Allamakee County Pork Producers, Milty’s Restaurant, Shirley O’Hara,  Patsy Kerndt, Danny and Sue Schlitter, Bob and Christy Hager,  Charlie Berg, Chad Wilkins, TASC, and Bob and Karen Swenson.

The event was planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation including Rose Beardmore, Sue Blagsvedt, Mitch Duncklee, Patty Goltz, Kevin Hanson, Dan Headington, Judy Herman, Jane Kallevang, Ardie Kuhse, Craig Lensing, Jay Mathis, Nona Sawyer, Nancy Schoh, Kim Sylvester, Matt Teslow and Kay Zimmerman.