Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy is set for this weekend

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2013 will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 15, 16, 17 and 18 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. This year's theme of “Walking In a Winter Wonderland”  will be portrayed in the nearly 70 decorated Christmas trees on display.
Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event, and the noon luncheons. The luncheons are sponsored again this year by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Saturday, November 16 at noon, and again Monday, November 18 at Noon. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events.
At the Saturday luncheon, guests will enjoy entertainment by pianist Alaine Meier.  Rev. Susan Klimstra will be the pianist entertaining at the Monday luncheon, followed by the Allamakee Community School Brass Quintet and Flute Choir directed by JoAnn Sherman. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays at the event, although the Saturday luncheon offers more room to stroll around and view the trees and is a great option for enjoying the Fantasy on the weekend with friends and family from out of town. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.
Saturday evening, November 16 will feature a special wine, cheese and dessert event sponsored by the Eagle’s Landing Winery of Marquette. Call 563-568-4177 for reservations. The cost includes refreshments, viewing of the decorations, musical entertainment, and a special wine tasting demonstration by the Eagles Landing Winery. Entertainment will be provided by the Tom Buresh Quartet that evening.
The Friday, November 15 “Tingle ‘N Mingle” will be held from 5-8 p.m. and is sponsored by Four County Ag of Postville. This event is a special opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers after work. Many tables of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, candies, breads and spirits will be served among the trees throughout the evening and will be catered by B.E. Catered, Jim and Charlene Baxter and Mary Engrav. Special holiday entertainment that evening will include Betty Maslo, Tim and Lindsey Lund, Leah Stammeyer and Jeff, Carol and Nicole Gaunitz. Tickets for this event can be purchased at Veterans Memorial Hospital, from all local banks or also at the door.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, children will be given a special chance to see the Fantasy, plus have a visit with Santa Claus. Story telling by Sue Kiesau will add to the excitement. Katie Hennessy of Cote’Color Photography will be on hand for a holiday Christmas card/picture opportunity for children with Santa Claus. These photos will be available for purchase.

The Christmas Fantasy 2013 event will be open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons. Entertainment Sunday afternoon will feature area children’s choirs including the St. John’s Lutheran Children’s Choir and the St. Pat’s School Choir, piano students of Lane Rich and Lindsey Lund, plus pianist Leslie Halverson.
Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. Marcia Hesse’s Bright Beginning’s Pre-Kindergarten Class will be performing for the area nursing home residents attending the Fantasy as well as the public. Christmas treats and cider will be offered during these public showings.
Numerous silent auction items will be available for purchase through a silent bid that will continue over the course of this four-day event. These door and wall decorations, centerpieces, gift baskets, chairs, quilts and mini-trees will be silent auctioned with the highest bidder winning the purchase at 7 p.m. Monday evening, November 18. Until that closing time, bidders can return, free of charge, to the Fantasy and raise their bid.
The “Walking In A Winter Wonderland” Christmas Fantasy 2013 is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Lori Bahr, Wayne Burk, Jane Dietrich, Jackie Halverson, Kevin Hanson, Randy Hesse, Amy Cote’-Hill, Gloria Krambeer, Craig Lensing, Dennis Lyons, Jody Peterson, Nancy Schoh, Nona Sawyer, Sue Schlitter and Bill Shafer, assisted by Kim Sylvester, Karen Swenson, Julie Thompson and Pat Pettingill.

For more information on the Christmas Fantasy, call Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation members Sue Schlitter, at 563-568-2438, or Gloria Krambeer, at 563-568-3182.