LIFESTYLE

Christmas tree to light up Greencastle center square

Staff Writer
Echo Pilot
The tree has been put in place in preparation for the lighting ceremony Friday.

The ceremony to light the Christmas tree on the square of Greencastle is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Heritage Christmas, the original members of the vocal quartet will be performing and leading the crowd in singing some Christmas carols to welcome in this special season. Quartet members Dave Besecker, Phil Risser, Saundra (Meckley) Wingert and Marcie (Berger) Zimmerman will be dressed in period clothing similar to when they sang along the store fronts of Baltimore Street at the first Heritage Christmas.  

The Lights of Love Scroll will be on display at Tower Bank. Misty Stenger, Heritage Christmas Committee, and Dr. Greg Hoover, superintendent are the official co-emcees.

Santa's elves will be handing out bells. Franklin County Fair Queen Stephanie Hykes and some of her court will be distributing brochures and mingling with the crowd. The Town Crier, Two Nuts & a Bolt, Apple Annie and some Victorian characters will be on hand to help celebrate.  VerStandig Broadcasting will be on the square with a live remote. Free hot cocoa, cookies, balloons and popcorn will add to the festive atmosphere.  

After the tree lighting ceremony downtown will stay open until 8 p.m.

Tree donation

Twenty-four years ago a row of trees was planted on the side of a building that is now known as Nevin's Furniture.  The lone tree that survived was cut down Monday, Nov. 15 and taken to the square of Greencastle to become the 2010 Christmas tree for the enjoyment of the Greencastle-Antrim community, as well as visitors.

This year's tree was donated by Marian's Fabrics and Nevin's Furniture and the respective owners, Marian Martin and Jeff Matthews.

“On behalf of the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage Christmas Committee we want to publicly thank Marian and Jeff for their contribution,” stated Joel Fridgen, chamber executive director.

The Christmas tree which will highlight 2010 Heritage Christmas in Greencastle was donated by Marian Martin, owner of Nevin’s Furniture and Marian’s Fabrics. Martin and Nevin’s manager Jeff Matthews stand by the spruce, estimated at nearly 40 feet. It grew between the store and I-81 until Monday morning, when it was taken down by GW Electric and moved to Center Square. Martin and her late husband planted a row of trees in 1986, and this was the last survivor. Matthews thought the tree was appropriate, because, as he said, “It’s very pretty and symmetrical.”