None of the 21 trees at the 2023 La Conner Swinomish Library's Festival of Tiny Trees stood over two feet high, but together they brought in some $10,000 at the library's seventh holiday silent auction fundraiser Friday, Dec. 1.

The artificial trees, covered in treats and trinkets and with SWAG spreading around the base of each one, themed by the designers and decorators, was a grownups indoor winter wonderland piled high with generosity. The holiday and Northwest themes ranged from Silver Bells, complete with music box, bells and fiber art pieces, donated by the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Art Museum, to the Santa Beach Christmas with shells, sea creatures, Christmas orbs and beach Santas, created and donated by Lee Ann Wing, to a Charlie Brown Christmas, thanks to Tillinghast Postal and Business Center, to Alexa Robbins and Tina Everitt's Welcome to Who-ville, including a Grinch toy train.

That is a small sampling. You had to be there to see every one. Or maybe you came in earlier last week for a preview peek.

Bidding on at least two trees closed early, their buyers signing on the "buy it now " line at the bottom of the bid sheet: Rex the Halls, dinosaur themed with everything from a glow in the dark blanket to wine labeled "2 million years old."

The Country Vintage Christmas also brought top dollars. It evoked memories and scenes from old Christmas cards with its vintage items. The pot was sweetened with local business gift cards.

Balance Point Physical Therapy's Flora and Fauna tree, full of botanicals, some to mix with gin, was voted the People's Choice award.

While the crowd was smaller this year, the 75 or so in attendance offering joy and glad tidings were as warm as ever, independent of the Prosecco poured into real wine glasses. There were also dessert refreshments.

Dave Hedlin, days past his 73rd birthday, was again happy to continue being three months younger then his wife. Richard Widdup steered the conversation to his bringing his Volvo for service to the library's location when it was Pederson Automotive decades ago.

Former Friends of the Library Board president Diane Fritzer when asked where she would be standing in the Friends old thrift store, thought she might be in the parking lot. Barbara and Brad Bradford, standing near the back door estimated they might be near the annex storage area. Another former Friends president, Joan Scarboro, volunteered Friday, of course.

The trees, displayed on bookcases, closed at different set times. Bidders displayed that time honored strategy of hovering, some at the same bookcase where they successfully bid last year. The mother daughter team of Tracy and Finley Hancock kept their eye on The Stocking Trees, with its various socks as well as, of course, stocking stuffers. They patiently signed the highest bid when the section closed.

Through it all Library Foundation Director Sarah Rabel was master of ceremonies, urging people to bid, vote for the People's Choice Award and counting down the clock.

Right at 730 p.m., with the blue area closed, volunteers Joan Herbert, Tami Mason, Dyann Provenzano, Karen Quesnell and others started packing trees and SWAG up to be taken home by their winning bidders.

The elves directing last week's success were volunteer Tami Mason, Library Director Jean Markert and Rabel.

Markert reflected, "Tiny Trees shows once again the wonderful support we have from our community, Thank you to everyone who attended to make this event successful.

Nancy Crowell

TINY TREES LINED BOOKSHELVES – The 21 tiny trees specially decorated for the La Conner Swinomish Library fundraiser brought cheer and a touch of the holidays and much needed light to the library during this seemingly dark, dreary season.

Rabel remarked on her first big event since becoming the Foundation's director: "I was beyond amazed at the incredible creations and generous community support. It is a joy to help raise funds for the La Conner Swinomish Library - a community space that is truly here for everyone."