Wreath auction raised funds for the Whitley County Historical Museum
(Talk of the Town photos by Lyn Lancaster) The Whitley County Historical Museum's wreath auction, held on December 14, 2008, featured several unique and beautiful wreaths. Wreaths were donated by the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow, Tippmann Heating and Air, the Luckey Museum in Wolf Lake and others. The wreaths are shown above in a collage.
By Lyn Lancaster
The Whitley County Historical Society’s wreath auction, new to the holiday open house this year, offered half a dozen wreaths for interested bidders. Two of the wreaths topped the auction at $25 each. A wreath donated by the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow featured a Native American theme. Displayed on a grapevine wreath base, it was accented with cedar, porcupine quills, cardinals and centered with a delicate, hand-beaded dream catcher.
Another eye-catching wreath donated by the Luckey Museum was purchased by Marie Hockemeyer.
One of the most fun and unusual wreaths was donated by Tippmann Heating and Air and purchased by Janet Galbraith. Designed for the handyman decorator, it featured PVC pipes, bells and colorful electric wire.
Other successful bidders included Darlene Welsh, Gerald Runkle and PJ Shoda.
Museum director Dani Tippmann was very pleased with turnout for the event.
Janet Galbraith, who works part-time at the museum as part of a federal program, has a passion for Columbia City and the musuem.
"We need people to know this is a hidden treasure...this is their home and it belongs to the people of Whitley County,” Galbraith said.