Press Release

Poinsettia Ball to Drape Community Center in Red

Dramatic red decor will transform the Onawa Community Center to a delightful scene of holiday celebration for the Poinsettia Ball Saturday, Dec. 3, sponsored by the Burgess Health Center Foundation.

Red glitzy cone Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, shiny red ornaments, red table runners, flickering votive candles and glowing street lamps will join the live red poinsettias to create the ball’s festive air.

The all-red holiday look is being crafted by the decorative talents of Jean Pekarek of Onawa.

“This is my second year of working with Poinsettia Ball decorations and I enjoy all of it,” says Pekarek, director of human resources at Burgess. “I started shopping the minute Sue Burtch asked me in September. I found lots of sparkly things at one store, bought shiny red material from another and found some perfect ornaments from a third.”

Pekarek says she gathers ideas from magazines and from her talented daughter, Lynne, an art director for special interest publications of Meredith Corporation in Des Moines. For example, it was Lynne who advised using the color red only for special flair.

Finding the perfect décor pieces is one responsibility, says Pekarek. Recruiting volunteers is another. Burgess employees help decorate on volunteer time, she stresses.

“It’s a great experience working with people on this special event,” she says. “We have an abundance of volunteers from the Burgess staff and the community who volunteer to help. We could not put on this event without them.”

While the décor is elegant, and festive holiday dress is encouraged, no one should avoid the ball for lack of evening wear. “We’re planning a fun party and want everyone to feel welcome, no matter how they dress,” says Pekarek. “The holidays are about family, friends and caring for each other, and you can feel that spirit in the air at our evening ball event.”

The red flourishes will help create a magical evening that also includes live piano music, chocolate fountains, a holiday feast and a silent gift auction. When the night is over, Pekarek expects to auction off the décor, too.

The $40 per person ticket price supports the Burgess Health Center Foundation and the hospital. Tickets are for sale at Burgess, First Federal in Onawa, First State Bank in Mapleton, Burgess clinics in Dunlap and Sloan and the Whiting Family Pharmacy.