O Christmas Tree

Each year the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture goes shopping for the perfect Christmas tree for their downtown display. "I don't just go cut down trees," laughed Executive Director Lisa Koski as she explained some of the planning that goes into their display.

While many residents offer up a tree from their property that can be cut down, Koski says the Chamber looks for a tree that will look best from all angles. "We had some that were up against a house, and while those look good from most angles, they wouldn't work for this display," said Koski.

This year, the tree went up a few days later than the Chamber had originally planned for, but the timing worked out perfectly for them. On Nov. 27, Rob Brunelle hit up an idea, and shared it with his wife Connie Brunelle. At the hospital, there was a beautiful tree, the perfect size, growing where the hospital plans to expand a parking lot. On Thanksgiving, the Brunelles contacted the Chamber who seized on the opportunity.

Koski and Chamber President Josh Sillerud met volunteers from Northwestern Energy for the big move. The tree was cut down and loaded onto a Northwestern flatbed truck for the short journey downtown to the tree's new Christmas home. Hoisted up by the crane, the tree was guided into place. After some trimming of the trunk, it was placed into the holding spot where it will sit throughout the holiday season.

Volunteers from the energy company will be back later this week to help string lights in time for the Christmas Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 7. Every year, Northwestern Energy donates their time and equipment to help decorate Glasgow's downtown, moving the tree and helping with outdoor decorations and banners. "We really couldn't do it without them," said a grateful Koski. "They are so generous."

Shoppers in Glasgow may also notice the decorative holiday baskets hanging from the posts along 2nd Ave. S. The baskets were decorated with cuttings from a tree donated by Paul Bauer. He had a tree he wished to donate but it was not quite the right fit for the display in the Markle's parking lot. Rather than go to waste, trimmings from the tree were used for the colorful baskets hung outside downtown businesses.

All decorations and displays will be up and ready for this weekend's Christmas stroll on Saturday. For a full schedule of the day, see the Calendar of Events on page 3A.