A Tree With History
Auctioned Trees Raise
Funds for Women’s Shelter.
The Mountain Lake Park Historical Association (MLPHA) will be entering a custom-decorated tree for auction at the 2023 Festival of Trees. The team of decorators includes MLPHA President, Karen Wooddell, Secretary, Gerry Duket, and volunteer Ellen Cowgill who also organizes town events with the Mountain Lake Partners. The thoughtful tree is adorned with photographs that reflect the history of the town founded in 1881 as a Chautauqua resort community. Over the course of several decades, railroad travelers flocked to the mountaintop summer community that featured lectures, live performances, music, recreation, personal enrichment, and educational courses. The tree provides a glimpse into this bygone era.
Most notable is the level of detail in the ornaments and hand-crafted elements engulfing the tree. A peacock theme which is indicative of the Victorian Era is reflected in the rich tones of green, aqua, and gold. Tiny vintage shoes, feathers, decorative fans, floral clusters, and captioned photos of notable people and places make wonderful conversation pieces. Atop the tree is a playful top hat covered in peacock feathers and ribbon.
The Festival of Trees takes place November 24th & 25th at the Garrett County Fairgrounds. Over the past 14 years, this event has benefited the Dove Center, Garrett County’s domestic violence and sexual assault services program. Since its inception, the event and tree auction has raised over $200,000.
Adding Final Touches
The design team left no branch untended. Layers of detail make this extraordinary tree more than just opulent. The curated images reflect Mountain Lake Park’s past with a theme indicative of its founding years. For anyone who doesn’t know the history, each photo on the tree includes a caption on the reverse side.
Hours and hours of hand-made ornaments make this tree unique and special. Anyone looking to impress will have this tree on their holiday wishlist.
Pictured left to right; Gerry Duket (MLPHA Secretary), Ellen Cowgill (Mountain Lake Partners), Karen Wooddell (MLPHA President).
