Christmas Social to shine on December 4

On Thursday, December 4, the Phillips County Museum will be glowing with the beauty of Christmas as this year's Phillips County Museum and Phillips County Historical Society hold the 2014 Christmas Social.

On that night, the public is encouraged to attend the PC Museum to bid on Mini Trees in the Live Auction, walk away with a beautiful wreath, table runner or centerpiece in the Silent Auction, or take your chances in the Bucket Raffle!

In years past, this event gave out larger trees for contestants to decorate. This year, the Historical Society – at the behest of public comments – decided to user smaller trees.

"So these groups essentially bought the trees from us and then donated them back for the Christmas Social," said Tara Taborsky, Vice President of the Phillips County Historical Society. "We have the same amount of trees as years past, but they are much, much smaller. These will be much easier for people to display and are just as beautiful."

To vote on the best Mini Tree, voters will be asked to purchase voting coins – 20 of them for $5 – and voting can be done (starting now) anytime during the museum's business hours (Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.) The Mini Tree with the most votes by December 4 will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to the museum's gift shop. Silent auction bids are also currently being accepted and raffle tickets can now be purchased and placed in buckets.

This year there are 11 trees (for live auction), nine silent auction items (table runners and wreaths) as well as four Bucket Raffle items (consisting of stocking, wall hangings and table runners.)

The beautifully decorated and donated trees, wreaths, wall hangings and centerpieces made by county organizations, businesses and individuals are on display now through December 4 at the Phillips County Museum.

All the money raised from the Christmas Social goes back into the Phillips County Museum for upgrades, refurbishments and toward the H.G. Robinson House.

At the Christmas Social, refreshments, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment will be provided by the museum and Historical Society. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. with the silent auction to end at 7:15 p.m., the live auction starting at 7:30 p.m. and the Bucket Raffle will be held throughout the night.

The entries for the Phillips County Museum and Phillips County Historical Society Christmas Social Mini Tree Auction, Silent Auction and Bucket Raffle are: Ava Ginter - "Flights of Christmas" Mini Tree, Bill's Classic Auto Body & Towing - "Man Cave Wreath," Boys & Girls Club - "Santa's Express" Mini Tree, Cub Scout Pack 432 - "Ribbons & Bows Anything Goes" Mini Tree, Family Matters, Inc. - "Christmas Bliss" Table Runner, First State Bank of Malta - "Olde Time Christmas" Mini Tree, Hands All Around Quilt Guild - "Homemakers Holiday" Wreath, Hands All Around Quilt Guild - "Noel" Wreath, Independence Bank - "Frozen Christmas" Mini Tree, Knudsen Appraisals - "Snowman Delight" Mini Tree, Lil Mutt Grooming Hut - "Lil Mutt Wreath & Planter," Malta Dirt Daubers - "Let it Snow" Centerpiece, Malta Irrigation District - "Owl' Wish You a Merry Christmas" Advent Calendar, Malta Trails (built by Janae Anderson) - "Biking Bliss" Wreath, Moore's Printing - "Memories of Days Gone By" Mini Tree, Phillips County Insurance - "A 'Mini' Traditional Christmas" Mini Tree, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance - "Holidays in Focus" Table Runner, Rough Riders 4-H Club - "Home for the Holidays" Mini Tree, Shabby Cache - "Frozen" Mini Tree, Whitewater Lutheran Church - "Soft & Starry Night" Table Runner and Phillips County Museum Staff - "Candy Land" Mini Tree.

"We hope to see everyone out there for this wonderful night," Taborsky said.