HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT From left, Julie Ward, Zolie Forester and Latosha McCully serve Thanksgiving dinner to residents and their guests at the senior center. Advertisement

The third annual Festival of Trees celebration has already begun. On Nov. 18, the sponsors had a tree and wreath decorating party at the Nugget. Those works of art are on display in the Nugget Events Center and will be formally unveiled to the public in the lighting ceremony around 6 p.m., Nov. 23.

Nathan Adelson Hospice and The Golden Monarch Council organized the event and the public will have an opportunity to bid on the fully decorated seven-foot or four-foot trees, or a wreath.

The Festival of Trees Gala is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1. There will be entertainment, a no host bar, dinner and dancing, a silent auction, raffles and door prizes. The big event is the auction of the trees and wreaths.

Entertainment will be provided by Deanna O'Donnell and Mr. Music. Apparently there is also a surprise presentation.

When asked about the surprise, Tonya Brum of Nathan Adelson Hospice said, "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise." She hesitated and then added, "I will tell you it has something to do with honoring someone."

The silent auction is a great Christmas shopping opportunity for a great cause. Some of the items up for bid include hand made afghans and baby clothes, baskets containing everything from entertainment items like movies and popcorn to wine and cheese baskets from the Pahrump Valley Winery. Craft baskets, a basket geared towards people who like to cook, a basket of Christmas items and even a "doggie" basket of organic treats will be available.

The raffle items include a three-day stay on a houseboat at Lake Mead, a weekend excursion with accommodations to the Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley and chance to bring decadence right to the door with the delivery of a dessert every month for a year.

The host for the evening is Dan Rodriguez and Bill and Gretchen Loken of Pahrump Valley Winery are sponsoring the table wines.

"The event is bigger and better than ever this year," said Brum. "We have some beautiful trees to be auctioned and the sponsors have worked really hard to make this a memorable occasion."

The tickets for the event are $100 per person and the proceeds will benefit Nathan Adelson Hospice.