Poplar Celebrates With Christmas Stroll Event

Poplar welcomed the holiday season with a Christmas Stroll on Friday, Dec. 8. A highlight was the Northeast Montana Health Services Charitable Foundation holding a Festival of Trees fundraiser during Independence Bank’s open house.

Brandi Wilkinson, executive director of the foundation, was pleased that Poplar’s Festival of Trees featured 12 entries compared to last year’s total of nine.

“It’s up and we’ve been selling a lot of raffle tickets,” Wilkinson said on Friday.

She noted that working in conjunction with Independence Bank’s open house was beneficial.

She said all the entries were special, but she pointed out the Gnome Tree designed and donated by Lydania Hagadone in memory of Mert Marottek.

“It’s a special one in my mind,” Wilkinson said.

Another special entry was the little tree decorated by Faith Home residents. According to information by the tree, residents made the ornaments for the tree. The wreath symbolizes the everlasting love of Jesus Christ to us and the cane symbolizes Jesus. If you turn the cane upside down, it’s the letter “J.”

“All of them are unique and amazing,” Wilkinson said of the entries.

People choice award winners were Independence Bank for first, Poplar High School National Honor Society for second and Cherry Colgan for third.

The Festival of Trees in Wolf Point raised about $1,600 in the prior week. She said it works well to hold separate events in both Wolf Point and Poplar.

“It’s getting better every year,” Wilkinson said.