While many people are starting to dream of a white Christmas, Marcy Taylor is dreaming of a green summer. 

As a long-time volunteer with the Friends of Pavillion Park Holiday Ball committee, Taylor is always looking forward - forward to a busy schedule of events that most communities don't have, a schedule that relies on the Holiday Ball for funding.

TAYLOR

This year marks the 17th annual Holiday Ball as well as Taylor's 10th year volunteering her time to make it a success.

"A friend started in it and kind of got me involved," Taylor said. "She has since moved away, and I've been involved ever since."

Taylor continues to give her time because she loves all the events that take place in the summer, which draws quality people to the community and makes Liberty Lake a great place to live. The Holiday Ball is the only fundraiser for all the movies, concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, the Liberty Lake Loop and other activities that take place each year. It also pays for a scholarships for local college students. 

"I think it's important for people to realize that if you like going to those events in the summertime, they need to support the Ball," Taylor said. "If we have a bad year, those events don't happen next summer."

If Taylor's energy has anything to do with it, every year will be a good year. Laura Frank, Friends of Pavillion Park board member and Holiday Ball committee chairwoman, said that for this year's event alone, Taylor helped out with invitations, auction item procurement and is leading the check-in committee as well as helping to organize the youth volunteers in the silent auction room. When the Ball actually starts, Taylor will be one of the people greeting attendees, getting them checked in and getting their program numbers. She usually works 10 to 15 hours on the day of the Ball alone. 

"Her dedication to the community and this event specifically is amazing," Frank said. "She comes each year enthusiastic to help with all aspects of the planning, invitations to procurement, event set-up, to volunteering the night of the event. She has been an enormous contributor to the success of the event."

Because of her work, Taylor misses the Holiday Ball's champagne reception and most of the silent auction each year. 

"In the early years, we didn't get to enjoy it at all but now we have it down to a science," Taylor said. "The first couple years I didn't even buy a dinner ticket. But now I get to sit down and enjoy the live auction."

Dancing follows the auction.

While the Liberty Lake Holiday Ball is a formal affair, Taylor said not to let that scare you off if you don't own a ball gown or tuxedo.

"People do dress up but a lot of people also come in a suit or nice slacks and a tie," she said. 

Taylor also said not to be intimidated if you're not part of a couple. Some people come with friends or as part of corporate groups. Taylor herself makes the event an annual girl's night out with friends.

Beyond the fun of going out for the night with her girlfriends, Taylor loves what the Holiday Ball does for the community, with 100 percent of proceeds directly benefiting Liberty Lake. 

"I love the sense of community and everything that goes on here in the summer months - Farmers Market, golf courses, trails," she said. 

And then there are the concerts and movies at the park. 

"If you love going to those events, help out," she said. "We need support. Buy a ticket or donate an auction item."

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51

Client service representative

Since 1999. Before that she moved to Seattle for a year but came back because her family missed it so much.

Any outside activities. Would like to learn to golf because the Liberty Lake golf courses are so great and inexpensive.

The Farmers Market, movies in the park

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5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

The Historic Davenport Hotel, Spokane

Purchase tickets for $75 online at www.pavillionpark.org or by sending cash/check to Friends of Pavillion Park, P.O. Box 325, Liberty Lake, WA 99019

Master of Ceremonies: Tom Sherry, Liberty Lake resident KREM weather personality

Band: AlgoRhythms, also of Liberty Lake

Attire: Formal (suit or tux for men and cocktail dresses or gowns for women)

Friends of Pavillion Park is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the sense of community in Liberty Lake by providing safe and affordable opportunities for recreation, education, entertainment and the arts.

FOPP was established by volunteers in 1992. Land and development contributed by The Schneidmiller Family, Greenstone Corporation and other community and government grants helped to establish the park, build the pavillion and raise funds for events. The community of Liberty Lake has continued to generously support Friends of Pavillion Park, both monetarily and through the gift of time. Its board of directors and committees are composed of volunteers, continuing to create vibrant and fun activities for Liberty Lake residents and the surrounding areas. 

In addition to providing scholarships each year to local high school seniors, each summer FOPP sponsors the Liberty Lake Loop Fun Run and a variety of performances by local, regional and national acts. The Summer Festival culminates on Labor Day weekend with the Lud Kramer Memorial Spokane Symphony Concert. 

President Joe Frank, Vice President David Himebaugh, Treasurer Sara Gile and Secretary Tom Specht

Laura Frank (Holiday Ball Committee Chair), Bob Schneidmiller, Chris Apted (Concert Chair), Kim Wells, David Lewis, Josh Schluter, Jennifer Camp