Tree Auction Raises $2,000 for Historical Group

Sadie Nye of Hessel places a bid on a tree decorated with machine crocheted snowflake ornaments made by Roxanne Large. The tree was called "Les Cheneaux WinterWonderland."

By the final weekend of the Les Cheneaux Association's annual Christmas open house and tree auction, more than $2,000 had been raised through the auction sale of hand-decorated trees at Les Cheneaux Historical Museum in Cedarville.

Sunday, December 9, was the final day of bidding on the trees, which drew an estimated 400 people to the museum over the three weekends of the open house. Visitors enjoyed homemade cookies, mulled cider, and admired the 20 trees decorated with organic ornaments made of pine cones, oak leaves, and birch bark, or with imaginative items like sparkling beaded spiders, machine-crocheted snowflakes, and handmade, rainbow colored felt.

The museum offered three drawings each weekend. Betty Kish of Cedarville won a wreath made by Cynthia Smith. Mary Tedd, twin sister of Martha Tassier of Cedarville, won a tree decorated by Mary Hill of Cedarville. Hannah Terrill, granddaughter of Jan and Bob Causley of Hessel, won the drawing for a wreath made and donated by Mrs. Hill.

Mrs. Hill also donated handmade balsam bags, and Pat Wilson of Hessel hand painted glass ball ornaments that were sold as a fundraiser for the organization. Museum Curator Annegret Goehring of Hessel demonstrated traditional paper star making during the open house, and sold the stars as a Historical Association fundraiser.

People who would like to make a tree for next year's auction may call the Les Cheneaux Historical Association at 484-2821.