Festival of Trees 2010

One of our favorite local events is coming up in just a few weeks.  The Festival of Trees is a community fundraiser combined with an evening out.  Four area non-profit groups benefit from the evening:  Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Theatre, Green County Humane Society, Green Haven Family Advocates or Green County Habitat for Humanity.

Festival of Trees takes place at the Mansion on December 4 this year.  There will be silent auction items, and the proceeds from these go directly to the non-profit group that has put them together.  Many area businesses and individuals contribute items both big and small for the bidding.  Each non-profit group also decorates a few holiday trees, also sponsored by local business.  These trees area auctioned at the end of the evening in an entertaining live auction.

Cocktails start at 6 pm, and dinner is served at 7.  The dinner choices this year will be prime rib, rosemary chicken or your choice of butternut squash or mushroom ravioli with alfredo sauce. If you prefer the vegetarian ravioli option, you should specify that when purchasing tickets.

Tickets are $40 per person, and they can be purchased through any of the non-profit groups above or through the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

Things to Do Around Monroe

Hopefully this gorgeous fall weather will hold for another weekend!

~ Monroe Theatre Guild hosts a Business After 5 event for the chamber and a general public open house this Thursday evening. Come by the Stage to see the updates to the building and learn about MTG's upcoming events. Pick up your tickets to Singing on Sunday and Craig Tuttle for either Friday or Saturday evenings, or sign up for one of the upcoming theatre workshops for children or adults.

~ Monroe Lego Club is meeting again this fall and winter. The first meeting will be on Saturday in the meeting room of the Monroe Public Library from noon until 2 pm. Kids are welcome to come and build with other lego enthusiasts. Legos are provided, so please do not bring your own bricks to build with in order to prevent mix-ups, but bring creations to show if you would like. Kids 10 and under must have parent with them or in the library building at all times. Email Lisa if you have any questions.

~ Dad's Corn Maze is offering Pumpkin Carving on Saturday. Pick out the pumpkin of your choice and let your artistic side have at it. Wander the maze before or after carving.

~ Green County Habitat for Humanity is still working on their home build in Monticello. Stop in at the site on Summett Ave in Monticello to help out. Contact Cathy for more information.

~ SLICE is open for public skating this weekend. Bring your skates or rent a pair, then get out on the ice for some exercise and fun. Open skate times are 5 untiil 8:30 Friday evening, 6 until 9 Saturday evening and 4 to 6:30 on Sunday. Plan ahead for Halloween! SLICE is hosting the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Ball and Costume Contest. $5 per person for ice skating, live DJ, dancing, costume contest and more.

~ On Sunday, there will be a Native American Artifact Show in the gym of the Monticello School from 8 am until 2 pm. The show features authentic American Indian and Pre-Columbian artifacts and Indian cultural items. This show is hosted by the Badger State Archaeological Society in conjunction with the Central States Archaeological Societies.

~ Head out to one of our local, independently owned restaurants or cafes this weekend. In these economic times, supporting local businesses and restaurants makes a huge difference in keeping these businesses around. Craving a casual coffee shop atmosphere? Hit Fat Cat Coffee Works, Caribbean Coffee and Cream, or Perks. Looking for good old fashioned diner food? Try Corner Cafe or M&M Cafe. Maybe you want to enjoy some local foods or beverages? Cafe Claudeen, Pancho and Lefty's, Creamery Cafe and Barrett's Brick Cafe all feature some of the bounty of Green County. Going gourmet? The Dining Room at 209 Main or Deininger's can accommodate your palette.