The Portland Historical Society, Inc.P. O. Box 98

Portland, CT 06480

A gathering of ideas for

inspiration

Entry Form

Our latest venture into fundraising will be a “Festival of Wreaths” in the carriage barn at 329 Main Street. We invite you to decorate a wreath for this event. The possibilities are endless! In this booklet you will find ideas as well as suggestions of where you can find even more ideas.

The wreaths will be presented as we host two days of Portland folks, young and old, gathering to see some great holiday decorations, enjoying something warm to drink and homemade cookies, making new acquaintances over laughter and holiday cheer! People can purchase tickets and place them in boxes in front of the wreaths they would like to take home. On Sunday, the winners will be pulled before the start of Portland’s Parade of Lights.

All proceeds from the “Festival” will be used to continue work on the Ruth Callander House Museum of Portland History and to fund educational projects for the community.

You can help us bring this new tradition to Portland by making a wreath for this fundraiser. Please contact Deb at 860-342-1927 to sign up or send an email to: PortlandHistSoc@Yahoo.com. Check our website for more information, decoration ideas, etc. www.PortlandHistSoc.org.

Thanks for your interest in this fundraiser.

Festival of Wreaths Committee

Deborah Ellsworth, Chair Phyllis Frisbie Sarah PerruccioClaire Frisbie Martha Lutecki Regina Woltmann

The Portland Historical Society, Inc.P. O. Box 98

Portland, CT 06480

The inspiration for our first Festival of Wreaths comes from a one-day Festival held in Bolton, MA, a fundraiser for their Historical Society. Their inspiration comes from a Festival of Wreaths held in Middlebury, VT for many years. Bolton is located west of Boston, just west of 495. The town was incorporated in 1738, and lists agriculture as its primary industry. Their Historical Society states that they are the “Collective Memory” of the Bolton community, collecting and preserving a wide range of objects that tell the stories of the town and its people. Sounds familiar.These wreaths are from their 2011 Festival of Wreaths...1 2

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Artificial wreath with hand-felted Santas

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Artificial wreath with nutcracker & tulle wrapped walnuts

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Real greens with fruit

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A hit with teens and other fans of The Beatles — a wrapped Beatles CD and some printed photos decorate this natural wreath

An antique with real greens & black & red checked ribbon

Feathered friends & birdhouse on natural wreath with greens

WREATH IDEAS from Various Festivals, Magazines, etcfrom very simple to elaborate, a “foodie” wreath of mini candy canes and a fanciful fun

one that could be hung in a child’s room year round — the possibilities are endless!

WEBSITES FOR WREATH IDEAS

If you are looking for ideas, you can begin your search by just using Google.com, Yahoo.com or Bing.com and clicking on “Images” — and typing in wreath ideas or Christmas wreaths... you will get lots of photos to check out.

Hereʼs one I just found, made entirely of marshmallows!

Another good source are catalogs and magazines, online or ones that arrive in the mail.

Look at the stores — like JoAnnʼs, Michaelʼs, Macyʼs — for color and embellishment ideas. Look at Marshallʼs, TJ Maxx for unusual holiday ornaments. Another great place can be Big Lots, especially for ribbons.

Consider what colors are popular this year and what colors you love to decorate with.

If you have a pet, what would a pet lover want on a decorated wreath?

If you have a teen, what can go on that wreath?Or a young girl infatuated with Disney princesses?

Hereʼs one made from donut holes! How cute would that be with a Dunkin Donuts gift card?

Check these sites and just keep getting inspired!

www.bhg.com/christmas/wreaths/christmas-wreaths/

http://concord.patch.com/articles/wreaths-for-justice#photo-8559503

ENTRY FORM ! ! FESTIVAL OF WREATHS 2012

Please fill out & return to Historical Society. ENTRY DEADLINE: Nov. 23

Name of Organization/Business or Individual

_______________________________________________________

Contact Person __________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________

Phone # ________________________

email ___________________________________________________

Wreath Title/Theme________________________________________

Description of Wreath ______________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Real Wreath approx. size:

Artificial Wreath approx. sIze:

Other ___________________ approx. size:

For more information contact Deb Ellsworth 860-342-1927 or email at: PortlandHistSoc@yahoo.com

Portland Historical Society, Inc.PO Box 98

Portland CT 06480

Wreaths will need to be dropped off at 329 Main Street on Thursday, November 29, between 4-8 p.m. or Friday, November 30, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.