Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy continues to shine

The 2012 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy was held November 9-12 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, and has been deemed a huge success thanks to all of the overwhelming community involvement.
“From the decorators, to the entertainers, to the treat makers, to the auction donors and buyers, I am once again overwhelmed by the community participation, and also the community support by the large numbers of people who attended the events,” states Mike Myers, Veterans Memorial Hospital administrator. “Our Foundation members should be proud of themselves for putting on such a spectacular community event.”
A huge number of auction items were donated to this year’s Fantasy by area businesses and individuals. A total of 88 auction items were displayed and auctioned by silent auction bid to the highest bidder Monday night at 7 p.m. Auction donors included: Carole Alderdyce, Joan Anderson, Aspen Alley, Gayle Bahlman, Carol Bahr, Joyce Bakke, Jan Baumler-Tastefully Simple, Marsha Benda, Linda Berger, Alice Baumgartner and Carla Schnuelle, Brad and Erin Berns, Jim and Patty Clarke, Mary Cunningham, Joyce Davidshofer, Jane Dietrich, Eagle’s Nest, Wendy Ebner, Forest Mills Quilt Shop, Sheryl Evanson, Nan Grangaard, Gloria Hertrampf, Betty Howe, G&S Machine, Gregg Jones Muscular Therapy Center, Gundersen Lutheran Waukon Clinic, Suzanne Hahn, Hair, Body and Mind Salon and Day Spa, Amy Hill, Betty Howe, Ideal Dog Grooming, Inside Story Salon and Day Spa, John’s Appliance, Linda Kerndt, Pam Kerndt and Harriett Hass, Patsy Kerndt and Julie Hawes, Nancy Klocke, Jean Krambeer, Cathy and Rick Larson, Curt and Keri Larson, Lillian Larson and Bev Larson-Needham, Terry Krueger, Makee Manor, Margaret’s Boutique, Mayo Health System-Waukon Clinic Nurses, N.E. Iowa Telephone, Kenny and Shirley O’Hara, Trisha Olson, Nola Palmer, Sharon Palmer and Emily Moore, Pat Pettingill, Sheryl Prestemon, Pop’s Produce, Ann Rademaker, Iona Rema, Red Geranium Floral and Gifts, St. Patrick’s Fourth Grade Class, Nona Sawyer, Jean Schwinefus, Sharon Snitker, The Standard, Margo Sweeney, Marge Strike, Jerry and Marilyn Troendle - Jerry’s Upholstery, Waterville Ambulance, Donna Wood, Denise Wullner, and Veterans Memorial Hospital Chemotherapy, Diabetes, Home Care Aides, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Nutrition and Administration Departments.
Trees on display during this 21st annual Foundation Fantasy included 62 full-size Christmas trees, all listed below, along with their sponsor: Ann Stone sponsored by Old Rossville Store, Patsy Kerndt sponsored by River’s Edge, TASC sponsored by Ament Appraisals, PEO sponsored by the Waukon Dental, American Legion Auxiliary sponsored by Gus and Tony’s Pizza and Steakhouse, Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital sponsored by Impro Products, Waukon Chamber of Commerce sponsored by Howard’s Home Furnishings, Waukon Girl Scouts sponsored by Kelly Concrete Construction, Linda Kerndt sponsored by Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Bright Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Class sponsored by Hanson Funeral Home/Driftaway Balloons, Clover Chasers 4-H Club sponsored by Bud and Marge Strike, Allamakee Music Boosters sponsored by Bieber Insurance and Real Estate, Allamakee Education Association sponsored by Beneke and Associates, FBLA sponsored by Floor’s Plus, St. John’s LYO sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services, Southcrest II Assisted Living sponsored by Waukon Feed Ranch, Dollars for Scholars sponsored by Allamakee County Employees “We Care,”  Johnson Farms sponsored by Casey’s, Corner of Hope sponsored by Dave Heitman-Pioneer Seeds and Dave’s Crop Watch, Sycamore Floral sponsored by Waukon Veterinary Service, Country Garden and Hair Body and Mind Salon and Day Spa sponsored by High Roller Skating Center, Infant Loss Support Group sponsored by Systems Equipment, Waterville Library sponsored by Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative, Cindy Shogren sponsored by Pro-Build Waukon, Carolyn Homewood and LEO Club sponsored by Culligan Water Conditioning, VMH Surgery Services sponsored by Revelyn Lonning, Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention sponsored by Freedom Bank, Mary Ament sponsored by Allamakee Realty, Mary Jo Meyer and Bailey Meyer-Benson sponsored by Postville Herald Newspaper, Cynda’s West Side Café sponsored by Gordy’s Auto Body and Salvage, Brenda Lamb sponsored by Dr. Cameron Oschner, DDS, The Monona Whittlers sponsored by Birdnow Chevrolet, Lansing Black Hawks 4-H Club sponsored by R. W. Pladsen, Inc., St. Patrick School sponsored by Smed and Associates, MOSAIC sponsored by NE Iowa Printers, Gloria Krambeer sponsored by Krambeer Barber Shop,  and Veterans Memorial Hospital sponsored by Steve Duffy-Storey Kenworthy. Additional tree sponsors for the large tree inside the door decorated by Kim Sylvester and Julie Thompson included Cook Insurance Agency, Dean’s Plumbing and Heating, Connor Appraisals, Bruening Rock and Zimmerman Insurance Agency.
Many businesses and organizations chose to decorate a tree and sponsor themselves. Those sponsoring their own tree for the Fantasy include the following: Fidelity Bank and Trust, Waukon Greenhouse, Waukon Lions Club, Waukon State Bank, VFW Auxiliary, Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank, Mayo Health System-Waukon Clinic, Martin Funeral Home, Northgate Care Center, Waukon Good Samaritan Center,  Master Gardeners of Allamakee County, Allamakee County Chapter of Thrivent, Edward Jones, Allamakee County Economic Development, The Living Stone, Teddy’s Auto Sales, Epic Wear, Micah Lynn Photography, Gundersen Lutheran-Waukon Clinic, Outdoor Creations Landscape and Garden Center, (Steel Cow) and JL Miller Co., Dean’s Plumbing and Heating/Connor Appraisals, Postville Medical Clinic and Hartig Drug.
Felicity Arts of Lansing also made a large donation of 75 large glass happy balls to the Fantasy. These happy balls adorned the large tree at the entrance to the Fantasy were sold individually.
Special donations were made to the Foundation from the Allamakee County Fairboard, Kris Cote’ and Melissa Kelly, B.E. Catered, John Leschensky, Allamakee Education Association, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Alliant Energy, Step-by-Step, Holly Palmer, Cunningham Hardware, Cote’Color Photography, Bud and Marge Strike, Palmer Abstract, Allamakee County Courthouse, Bev Larson-Needham, St. Patrick School, State Farm Insurance-Scott Houg, Kwik Star, Penny Sweeney, Jodi Sweeney Egeland, Ruby Schoh, Ernie Lubahn, Linda Carsten, Bob and Karen Swenson, Shirley Schulze, Jane Regan, Waukon State Bank, Casey’s, Waukon City Clerk’s Office, Fisk Farm and Home, Pat Mitchell, Joanne Larson, Donelle Sherman, Quillin’s Food Ranch, Fareway, ReelCore, Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital, VMH Nutrition Services, VMH Maintenance, plus all of the volunteers who baked, made dips, decorated, served and greeted at the event.
The event was planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Wayne Burk, Jane Dietrich, Debbie Hager, Kevin Hanson, Randy Hesse, Amy Hill, Nancy Klocke, Gloria Krambeer, Craig Lensing, Dennis Lyons, Jody Peterson, Nona Sawyer, Sue Schlitter, Nancy Schoh and Bill Shafer, assisted by Kim Sylvester, Pat Pettingill, Julie Thompson and Karen Swenson.