Bailey Manor held their annual Festival of Trees Awards Ceremony Tuesday, January 31. “In our book, everyone is a winner because they have brought joy to the community,” say Rita Stanley and Pat Adamson. Thanks to all of the participants, Bailey Manor won the Spirit of Christmas Award given by the City of Clinton.
The purpose of the Festival of Trees is to bring joy to the community and to get some exposure for businesses. Cindy Sanders of Big Oaks Rescue Farm says, “Thank you for allowing us to be apart of this. Big Oaks has gotten a lot of exposure from the Christmas tree festival.”
Over 1700 people came to Bailey Manor throughout the month of December to view the trees. Many school classes came to tour, too, and brought smiles to the faces of everyone. The children are the ones who have the easiest time deciding their favorite.
Some special awards were given first. SunTrust received an award for bringing the most smiles to people’s faces. Their tree was the first one seen as you walked in the building. GenerX Pharmacy, who put up a tree with Care by Generations and Tri-County Hospice, won the Generosity/Angel Award for being an angel and donating their tree. Many staff participated, and Morgan Wilson received the Staff Spirit Award.
The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce leaders were not able to be present, but they were made fun of anyway. When they brought their tree and were trimming it, something smelled like smoke. The next day, all of their lights were out. They received the Light My Fire award for their attempt at burning the building down.
The public voted in the following categories and winners are listed:
Favorite Tabletop: Honorable Mention-Piedmont Pest Control, 3rd Place-The Harris Family, 2nd Place-Sandra McCall, 1st Place-Clinton Family YMCA SilverSneakers.
Favorite Theme: Honorable Mention-Big Oaks Rescue Farm, 3rd Place-Mane Designers, 2nd Place-Codie Quarles, John & Connie Uldrick-All About Town.
Best Theme by a Business: Honorable Mention (Tie)-L & L Office Supply & Hampton Inn & Suites Housekeeping, 3rd Place-State Farm Agent Matt Davis, 2nd Place-Pet Dairy, 1st Place-Sadler-Hughes Apothecary.
Favorite Scene: Honorable Mention-Mane Designers, 3rd Place-Clinton Tire Service, 2nd Place-Linda & Curtis Wallace, 1st Place-Mane Designers.
Community Favorite: Honorable Mention-Assisting Angels, 3rd Place-Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2nd Place-John & Connie Uldrick, 1st Place-NHC Clinton.
Other special trophies, voted on by staff and residents were given: Residents’ Favorite-Bailey’s Ladies, For the Love of Family-The Steadman/West Family, Spirit of Christmas-Bethlehem Grove Baptist Church, Essence of Christmas-Mane Designers.
Thank you to all of those who placed trees at Bailey Manor and to all of the folks who came to enjoy them. It will seem like a short time when we are once again trimming the Manor.