norman
country-financial
March 28, 2024 2:57 am
Your hometown Newspaper since 1987.
Search
Close this search box.

Festival of Trees Brings in Holidays

By CATHERINE ELLERTON

Moapa Valley Progress

Children and adults alike were transfixed by the wonder of the holiday season at the annual Moapa Valley Festival of Trees held last weekend at the Old Logandale School. PHOTO BY CATHERINE ELLERTON/Moapa Valley Progress.

The hum and buzz, laughter and grunts and groans were in the air as many Santa’s elves turned the Old Logandale School into a holiday wonderland. The Moapa Valley Festival of Trees was held on November 30 and December 1.

For over ten years the festival has brought the community together to share the wonder of the Holiday Season and to support the Old Logandale School Historical and Cultural Society (OLSHACS). Georgia Hall first began this festival; Ellen Potter was next in line to take on the job for two years and Executive Director of OLSHACS Robin Maughan has continued the tradition for the last eight years.

On Friday afternoon, the doors opened and the eager attendees rushed in. Grabbing a handful of fresh roasted nuts and some popcorn and fudge backup, I checked out Penny Valone’s Rebellion’s Boutique (items made from recycled jeans) to Bridget Towery’s latest cookbook – “Your Gluten-Free Pie Tin” and the wooden toys fashioned by Fred Koopman, then headed into the main hall.

The room was lined with trees of many colors and stories. The Cinderella Pageant brought an interesting tree titled “Mermaid Tree Search.” Kim Roden decorated a tree to honor the Golden Knights. The Maughan grandchildren decorated a delightful tree with a large snowman’s head on top. The Grant Bowler Elementary students, in addition to singing and tumbling as entertainment for the festival, offered a tree dedicated to “The Cat In The Hat.” There was a delightful wildlife tree by Maggie Genseal and a tree honoring the MVHS Pirates by Andrea Meckley. This is just a few of the approximately 30 trees that were glowing on display in the room.

And standing silently among these brilliantly lit trees was a simple tree lit in pink – a tribute to the memory of little Maddy who died of cancer at the age of two. Her grandmother Georgia Hall decorates a tree every year in her memory.

Wandering further into the building, one comes to the Nativity Room. It is here that the many varieties of the Nativity Scene are on display. These varied nativities are from private local collections being shared with all.

The next room contained a delightful new addition to the Festival – the entries to the first annual Gingerbread Houses contest. Entered by local contestants, they came in all sizes and designs. Some of the contest winners were: Most Creative – Cyric Stevens; Teen – Candyland – Rafferty Stevens and Teen First Place – Rebecca Marshall. The house builders ranged from Preschool to Adult.

Vendors also lined the hallway. Joanne Watson offered lighted centerpieces and candy cups. Robbin Lane displayed jewelry. Kitchen Sink had woven rugs and wreaths. Rik Eide had a cart selling Fresh Roasted Nuts. Others included Scentsy, LuLaRoe, Tupperware, Pampered Chef and Nature’s Beauty.

The joyful music of the season soon filled the building. Wandering through the majestic trees and contemplating the many gifts offered by the vendors the Festival goer is entertained by a variety of musical talent. The Moovin’ & Groovin’ Dancers danced to “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” among other selections. The Bowler Elementary Choir sang about “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” And there were many more throughout the weekend.

Ending the entertainment was Overton pianist Rose Whitmore. Rose came to the Valley 58 years ago from Canada. She started playing the piano at an extremely young age but was largely self-taught.
“I didn’t like to take lessons because I didn’t like to practice and didn’t like to be told what to do,” she said.

This 78 year young pianist laughingly states that she is “actually 39 with 39 years of experience.”
Asked what memorable musical experiences she has had, Rose replied that perhaps the most memorable experience was when she was playing and noticed a young boy clinging to the piano leg and moving to the music. The mother explained to Whitmore that the boy was deaf and mute and this was his way of “hearing” the vibrations of the music.

This Festival was possibly the last public appearance by this talented musician. She will be moving to So. Carolina to be with her daughter and family within the next several weeks. She lovingly said to the Valley “I’ll miss you. Thank heaven for cell phones!”

Rounding out this two day Festival was a visit from that jolly old man himself – Santa Claus. The young and not-so-young gathered about telling him their Christmas wishes as they have done for time eternal.

Print This Article:

Share This Article:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Screen Shot 2023-02-05 at 10.55.46 PM
2-21-2024-fullpagefair
4 Youth Service WEB
2-28-2024 WEB Hole Foods St Patricks
No data was found
2023 WEB BANNER 2 DEFAULT AD whitneyswater
Mesquite Works Web Ad 10-2020
Scroll to Top
Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get notified about new articles