It’s that time again.
The Christmas tree raffle season opened with the noontime Altrusa Club’s Festival of Trees sponsor reception, which was also the Chamber of Commerce’s November monthly mixer. Held on Thursday evening, Nov. 16, on the lower level of Santa Maria Town Center East mall, the event attracted more than 100 people.
Everyone’s attention was focused on the 44 well-decorated trees accompanied by a bevy of gifts for kids, adults, families, and sports fans.
As raffle regulars know, you buy a raffle ticket for a buck, put it in a container near the tree of your choice, and cross your fingers. You could be a winner when the drawing is held on Dec. 10, and take home the tree and all the gifts sitting under it.
Club president Leticia Villanueva happily reported that this year, of the 44 trees on display, 15 are in the diamond tree category, which means that the value of the gifts under the tree is at least $1,000. Wow. Santa will be glad to hear that.
Rancho Bowl’s tree is dedicated to the memory of Holly Williams, a cancer patient who valiantly battled the disease and passed away this past year. Holly sang at the annual “Christmas with Holly” event sponsored by Hats for Hope (they give wigs and grants to cancer patients) with the Riptide Big Band. This tree has, among other things, a $100 gift card for Jocko’s, a $100 gift certificate for Guggia restaurants, and a $50 gift certificate for A La Carte (a home décor and gift store).
Even though my cooking is basic and quick (just hand me a pot and a fry pan), any display with KitchenAidv mixers catches my eye. There were several of these, and I lingered lovingly in front of them.
I marveled at the desk that moves up and down—this accompanied the tree decorated by Pacific Insurance.
Patrick and Jeri Ferrini, I enjoyed chatting with you. The Ferrinis brought several bottles of their privately bottled Bonipak Estate Vineyards pinot noir and chardonnay wines for the bar. They are also sponsoring a Dodgers tree, overflowing with logo-laden items.
Another sports theme tree sponsor is by Arrow Plumbing. Their Lakers tree has tickets to a game!
Brenda Frazier of GenSpan helped decorate two trees, one with a dining table and Noritake china. Families with young children or with one on the way will love the Altrusa Club’s “Santa Baby” tree. Among the bounty here are a stroller, car seat, changing table, and high chair—lots of goodies for baby’s needs and pleasures.
Janet Silveria, president of Community Bank of Santa Maria, and Natalie Barragan, senior vice president, stopped by to view the goings-on and to check out the bank’s tree, which bears many gift cards.
Another tree sponsor on hand was lawyer Michael Scott.
Carniceria El Matador (don’t you just love that name) catered and served tacos. Altrusa members brought chips and dips, sweet strawberries, and cookies. The Community Bank’s Noe Mahelona was an awesome bartender pouring a very nice variety of wines. She did not lack customers.
There are three Altrusa clubs—morning, noon, and night. The morning club will have its annual Festival of Trees on the upper level of the mall, while the nighttime and original Altrusa Club held their annual extravaganza earlier in November at the Elks Club.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at column151@gmail.com.
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2017.