Beal Center
hosts Festival
of Trees
By Deby Jo Ferguson
Staff Writer
Walking into the Beal Center totally took my breath away with my childhood captivated by the endless glitter of decorated Christmas trees. What better way to open up your mind to the season of imagination that is tucked away in the hearts of everyone if only we opened our eyes to see its magic.
It was through the work and dreams of Amanda Wagoner that we are able to relive the dreams of our childhood while helping the students of our future. This is the second year Wagoner has held the Festival of Trees since coming home to Clay County three years ago.
All proceeds from the event go to high school scholarships. This year three businesses from Georgia sponsored a tree giving their high school a $500 scholarship.
Tickets are sold and a name is drawn for each of the trees which will make its way to one lucky person’s home for the Christmas holiday. Last year $8,000 in scholarships was raised and according to Wagoner her personal goal for this year is $20,000.
There are baskets donated by business sponsors and a 50/50 cash drawing which will delight several individuals and add to the scholarship money.
Not all businesses who sponsor a tree do their own decorating which adds to the enjoyment of Wagoner who said she has decorated at least 90 percent of the trees on show. “I love Christmas and love decorating the trees so if the sponsor doesn’t pick a theme I get the enjoyment of decorating another beautiful tree,” Wagoner said.
Tree decorating for Wagoner is not confined to the Festival of Trees, admitting she has already decorated seven at home and usually does a total of 22 trees for her personal family enjoyment.