December 16, 2003
Tuesday - 1:15 am

Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce's Annual Enchanted Forest Auction and Dance was held the evening of December 6th at the Ted Ferry Civic Center. An Enchanted Forest is described by the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce as one which captivates a person with its consummate beauty. Each tree making its own contribution, whether shielding another from the storms, standing tall to represent the others or providing new growth, they all strive to achieve their own potential, while unified in their purpose.

The mission of the Enchanted Forest is to support the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce as it continues to "advocate and educate on behalf of members to promote a healthy business climate" for the benefit of the entire community.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Doug Ward who is the 2002-2003 Chamber Board President. The Chamber had a total of 12 decorated Christmas trees for auction. The auctioneer was Jim Wingren. Prior to the start of the live auction at 8:30 pm, guests enjoyed a social hour, viewed the trees and danced to the music of Lush Life and DJ Blanche Thomas.

According to information provided by Jodie Beck, Enchanted Forest Committee Co-Chair, twelve Christmas trees were auctioned. Of the twelve trees, trees numbered 1-10 generated more than $4,300 in bids with a portion of the proceeds going to a variety of community groups. The last two trees, numbers 11 & 12, were decorated by Women In Safe Homes (WISH) with all the proceeds going to WISH.

Tongass Substance Screening, a loyal supporter of the Enchanted Forest Auction event, generated the most money for their Christmas tree called "Bee Safe". This year and last year, Tongass Substance Screen generously decorated their trees with over $1,000 worth of services to the lucky winner.

Tongass Substance Screening's "Bee Safe" tree included:

• DOT & non-DOT drug tests
• Rapid coupons
• Audiogram coupons
• 1 year consortium membership,
• CPR/First Aid training coupons.

The successful bidder was Lloyd Gossman of Alaska Ship & Drydock, bidding $950. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Tongass Substance Screening's "Bee Safe" tree will support Ketchikan Indian Community.

The Arts & Humanities Council provided an unbelievably creative tree again this year. Their Christmas tree, called "A Community of Art" included pairs of tickets to:

• The Monthly Grind
• Ketchikan Theatre Ballet's Spring Gala
• First City Players, including Jazz & Cabaret, You Can't Take it With You & Little Shop of Horrors
• Ketchikan Community Concert Band Events
• Torch Nights
• Fly Dance Company
• Wearable Art Show
• Cambalache Salsa Band
• Tom Rush
• Gigglefeet

The estimated value of the Arts & Humanities Council's "A Community of Art" tree was $450. The Ketchikan Area Arts & Humanities Council tree was sold to Bev & Jack Davies for $450 and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this tree will support Head Start.

Wells Fargo's "Money Tree" was sold to Barb Bigelow for $500. According to information provided by Jodie Beck, Wells Fargo has also, for the last two years, been very generous in their support of this event by providing the "Money Tree" which is decorated with ornaments made of cash along with stagecoach and badge ornaments. The estimated value of the "Money Tree" was $450. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this tree will support the Transitional Living Center.

Murray Pacific's "Hoochie Tree" was sold to Adam Beck & Joe Johnston for $475. Beck said this is the first year Murray Pacific has participated and did a wonderful job providing a tree filled with hoochies, flashers, spoons, a trolling rod & reel, stainless steel crab pot and more. The "Hoochie Tree" had over $500 of merchandise and was highly anticipated. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the "Hoochie Tree" will support March of Dimes.

First year Alaska Rose, a locally owned business which is located in Salmon Landing Market, also participated in the Enchanted Forest Auction event. The Alaska Rose's tree "Rosy Christmas" was decorated with many of the store's handmade jewelry, fashion accessories and more. The estimated value of "Rosy Christmas" was $400 and sold for $250. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Rosy Christmas" will support Ketchikan Children's Library.

Bernie's, now located in The Plaza, was a new sponsor and their tree "Morning Cup of Coffee" had an estimated value of $450. "Morning Cup of Coffee" sold for $300 and included:

• A Cappuccino/Espresso/Coffee Machine
• Four bags of coffee beans
• Braun coffee grinder
• Mannhelm Steamroller Music CD/DVD
• Lots of store coupons for winner's personal use or use as gifts...

McDonald's came back with a bang after taking some time off from participating in the event. McDonald's tree called "McTree" included specialty ornaments of:

• Food coupons
• Happy Meal toys
• McDonald's Collectors ornaments
• and, additional gifts under the tree...

"McTree's" estimated value was $500 and sold for $375. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the "McTree" will support Cub Scouts of America.

Dockside Diner was a new sponsor as well and came up with quite a few great coupons and merchandise on their tree. The "Eat Well" Christmas tree's estimated value was $350 and sold for $250. Dockside Diner's tree included:

• Banquet room rental
• 2 coffee cups
• 2 t-shirts
• 2 baseball caps
• 2 $10 off a $50 purchase coupons
• 2 prime rib dinners
• 2 complimentary breakfasts
• 2 complimentary lunch specials
• 2 certificates for full pies

Service Auto Parts' tree "Tool Tree" was decorated with many tools, as well as specialty NAPA toys. The estimated value of "Tool Tree" was $500 and Service Auto Parts raised $350 with the sale of their tree. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Tool Tree" will support the Park Avenue Temporary Home.

Carrs & Alaska USA Credit Union participated and generated $425 for their tree. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Carrs & Alaska USA Credit Union tree will support the Pioneer Home.

The final two trees auctioned were decorated by Women In Safe Homes (WISH). "An Old-Fashioned WISH" tree was decorated by adult members of WISH and "Kisses from Angels" was decorated by the children of WISH. The entire proceeds raised from the sale of these trees is donated to WISH. The adult tree, "An Old-Fashioned WISH", was auctioned once and donated back in order to be bid on again to generate additional funds. The sale of "An Old-Fashioned WISH" and "Kisses from Angels" trees generated $850 for Women in Safe Homes.

Other silent auction items generated more than $1,500. Businesses participating in the silent auction and the items auctioned included:

• Waldenbooks & Stenfjord's Hallmark - certificate for merchandise from the bookstore, candles from Hallmark
• Stenfjord's Hallmark - Gift basket
• Mecham, Richardson, CPA's - Handcrafted birch vase
• Tongass Sanitation - $50 gift certificate & fun wreath
• Tyler Rental & Ty -Matt - $100 rental & hand-sander
• Todd Miller, Local Photographer - Framed 11X14 photo taken in Ketchikan of the Aurora Borealis
• Wal-Mart - 27" television
• University of Alaska Southeast Campus - Snowman themed gift basket
• Newtown Liquor & Stenfjord's Hallmark - three bottles of wine with candles
• Channel Electric - ceiling fan
• Wines International - gift basket
• Stenfjord's Hallmark - gift basket with candles
• Sears - Sylvania dual-deck DVD & VCR player valued at $120
• Taquan Air - 2 Misty Fjords flightseeing trips & Misty Fjords book, valued at over $390
• GCI - Television & 6 months of premium cable service, valued at $350
• Waypoint Inn at Herring Bay - artist print
• Pacific Airways - Lake trip to Heckman, Patching or Ella & "Discover Southeast Alaska with Pack & Paddle" book, valued at over $400
• Green Bean Coffee Company - home roasting starter kit, including roaster, coffee beans and more... valued at over $90

According to Beck, this year's focus was to provide more advertising for the businesses that participated, lower the attendance ticket price to the community (last year it was $35 per person, this year $30), be a self-supporting event and involve and contribute more to local non-profit organizations. Beck said, "Through the generosity of our contributors and creativity of our committee, we were able to reach all four goals."

The Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce's Enchanted Forest Committee members were Jodie Beck and Donna Burke Co-Chairs, Danielle Miller, Michelle Jackson, Polly Johnson, Anna Marie Mestas, and Nancy Ekse.

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