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Weiser readies for annual event



Casey L. Keller - Argus Observer

Weiser - Children and parents anxious to visit with Santa Claus this year can do so in early December at the 18th Annual Weiser Festival of Trees Auction and Gala. This year's festival will feature the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Claus along with 14 trees, a variety of Christmas decorations, live entertainment and activities for children, Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director Tracy Ramza said.

The Weiser Festival of Trees is hosted annually by the hospital's foundation. This year's event will take place Dec. 2 through Dec. 4 at the Vendome Event Center. Proceeds from the festival benefit the hospital, Ramza said.

"When people give to the foundation, they are really giving to the community, Phil Soulen, chair of the foundation board said. "The funds received from this event are used to purchase much needed equipment and upgrade services."

Specifically, this year's funds are earmarked to purchase advanced equipment for the surgical department, Ramza said.

This year's festival theme is "Gifts We Treasure." Volunteers from the community decorate all 14 live trees, which are purchased by the foundation. The volunteers also provide the decorations for their tree, Ramza said.

The festival will open Dec. 2 with a social hour at 6 p.m. The Idaho Shakespeare Festival will present "Stubby Pringle's Christmas" from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the tree auction and gala will take place beginning at 7:45 p.m., Ramza said.

Ramza encourages anyone wanting to attend the auction to reserve a seat by Nov. 26. They can do so by contacting her at (208) 549-0370, Ext. 135. There is no charge to attend.

The second day of the festival begins at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public through 9 p.m. Entertainment will be provided from noon to 8 p.m. and the annual Weiser Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will take place at 5:15 p.m., Ramza said.

This year's Christmas parade, themed "Santa's Twinkling Magic," will begin at the Weiser Middle School and end at the train depot, Sheri Shoemaker with the chamber of commerce said. Shoemaker is still working out the final details, but she hopes to have a tree lighting at the depot following the parade, she said.

To learn more about the parade, enter or to volunteer, contact Shoemaker, (208) 414-0542.

Festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to purchase a chance to win the "Patron Tree," Ramza said. The tree is the most elaborate tree of the festival and will be awarded to one winner. Tickets are $50 each. There will also be a tree up for raffle. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the festival.

The final day of the festival, Dec. 4, will be Festival Family Day from 9 a.m. to noon, Ramza said.

The day will feature a large variety of activities for children and adults including a gingerbread man decorating contest, a children's store, face painting, Friends of the Hospital arts and crafts table, gingerbread houses, a sweet shoppe and the viewing of the decorated trees.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa, as promised earlier, will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to pose for pictures, Ramza said.

Saturday is also the final day of the silent auction, which will include items donated by the community, Ramza said.




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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