STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Amidst the lavishly decorated trees at this year’s Festival of Trees was one that stood alone.

It was a “Gratitude Tree” decorated in honor of Connie Porter, who started the Festival of Trees.

Connie’s husband Dick Porter asked her to marry him when she was 15, recounted Senior Connection Director Teresa Beahen Lipman.

“She said yes but Dick said they would have to wait until college,” she added.

After Connie Porter started the Festival of Trees, it found its way to a number of different venues, including an airport hanger, the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, the Sun Valley Inn and this year the Mint.

During one festival Connie and Dick saw a 94-year-old woman admiring one of the trees. They bid on it, won it and gave the tree to the woman.

“A tenacious, determined worker,” said Lipman. “Now we will plant this tree in Connie’s honor at the Senior Connection.”