Henry Sheldon Museum announces its Miniature Christmas Tree raffle 

MIDDLEBURY—The Sheldon Museum announced its annual Miniature Christmas Tree Raffle. This year’s raffle is online and features nine one-of-a-kind 24” miniature Christmas trees decorated and donated by talented local artists. The raffle will support the Museum’s children’s education programs. Tickets are available through Sunday, Dec. 20 and the drawing will take place on Monday, Dec. 21. The tickets are $5 for one and $20 for five, and can be purchased on the Sheldon’s website, henrysheldonmuseum.org where images and videos of each tree may be viewed. The festive trees are adorned with a vast array of enticing ornaments that will enchant children and adults.

This year’s trees include: “Woodland Winter” by Nancie Dunn (Sweet Cecily) featuring felted cardinals, Swedish tomtes, baby reindeer, and a star garland; Sarah Pope’s “What the World Needs Now” with ornaments made from vintage books with paint and gesso; “Cute as a Button” by Suzanne Douglas decorated with needle-felted sheep with antique and vintage button faces and a hand painted tree skirt; “Enjoy the Ride” by Lauren LaBerge (Sweet Charity), a train-themed tree with a conductor’s hat and bandana, antique trains, antique car, circles cut from model train boxes and track.  “Over-the Top Vintage Christmas” by Robin Huestis (Round Robin) is bedazzled with assorted vintage ornaments including classic German glass birds with feather tails; “A Beary Merry Christmas” by a Secret Santa artist features jingle bells and stuffed bear angels; Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars and trucks, Disney characters, and more fun toys fill “A Child’s Christmas” by Donna Sargent and Miranda Gero; Ashley Wolff’s tree “Feliz Navidad” includes handmade pottery ornaments, Mexican Papele Picado banner ornaments and Day of the Dead skull ornaments; while “Pine Cones, Berries, Queen Anne’s Lace, Oh My” by Sarah Stahl is bursting with natural elements.

The Sheldon thanks these generous artists for contributing their jubilant trees. The Henry Sheldon Museum, located at One Park Street in downtown Middlebury across from the Ilsley Library, is temporarily closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.  They regret that their annual model train exhibit will not be running this season. In December, the Sheldon’s website will feature a few videos of last year’s train layout. For more information about the tree raffle and to view the Sheldon’s virtual exhibits, visit henrysheldonmuseum.org.