An early predictor of the holiday season in Morrison, IL, is the morning when Morrison Garden Club members and volunteers fill downtown planters. They are found from the intersection of IL Route 78 and U. S. Highway 30, westerly along Main Street, to the Base Street side of City Hall, 200 W. Main Street.
This year’s creative enterprise occurred Friday, November 20, 2020–almost a week before Thanksgiving.
Those seasonal greens, dried plant materials, and holiday bows prompted some citizens to ask the Editor when more, customary, Christmas decorating will occur.
Three days before Thanksgiving, on Monday, November 23, City Public Services Director Lori Matlack reported, “[Some of the nine] crew erected the holiday tree today, between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m.” Ornamentation and lights will be next. Illuminated light post garlands “need to be wrapped soon,” she said.
Also on November 23, Junior High Principal Joe Robbins reported Main Street holiday music will begin the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27. An area radio station broadcasts holiday tunes from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mary Snoke inquired on Monday, November 30, about “no lights on the light poles downtown.” After decorating the tree on Tuesday, December 1, Public Services employee John Schleuning told the Editor garlands will be installed “as soon as we have [fewer] funerals” to prepare for. Chamber of Commerce Director LeAnn Schaefer thought, “Public Services employees will decorate light polls this week. They also will be delivering the Santa House to Millikan Park. Morrison Community Hospital will decorate the [pocket] park this week as well.”
Additionally Snoke had asked, “Will the star on the elevator be lit?” The Editor interviewed Rick Deter on November 30; he is Office Manager of Rock River Lumber & Grain. However, Deter lights nether the Lenten cross nor Christmas star. Although he could offer no specific date when a star will appear in the East, he thought it would this week or next.
Editor’s note: After publication of this article on Facebook, on December 1, Rob Renner, Jr. commented, “The star is shining bright tonight!” On Thursday, December 3, Jane Brondyke added data about that Christmas symbol. Several decades ago, the late Paul Brondyke was instrumental in its installation atop the Farmers Elevator. He owned Brondyke Electric, at 227 W. Main Street, which preceded Yarbrough Applance.
To make the waiting more suspenseful or to reminisce about last year’s Little Star of Morrison, enjoy this charming, 2019 photograph of E. Main Street. Mike Nice allowed the Editor use his picture for publication. Keep looking to the East for this traditional sign of Christmas.
Between 8:00 and 10:36 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1, City employees Tim VanZuiden, left, and Schleuning wound multiple, multi-color light strings around the holiday tree.
According to Katie Selburg, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, the men adorned it with “48, large ornaments…. We’ve lost a few over the years, due to weather, etc. So, LeAnn is out getting some more today.”
Later that afternoon, the two women hung new, low-placed decorations to save time for Schleuning and VanZuiden. Selburg noted, “There will be 57 large ornaments, 30 medium ornaments, 11 sparkly bows, and 100s of lights. The guys will do the rest [of the decorations] higher up tomorrow.”
Schaefer stated, “The tree came from Meyer Castle Tree Farm…in Medford, WI. It is [a] 22′ tall…Balsam Fir. Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm [in rural Fulton, IL,] picks out the tree every year!
“Sponsors are Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm and B and H Contractors.”
Although the Reverse Christmas Parade was cancelled, Morrison Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, on Saturday, December 5, at 5:00 p.m., at the southeast corner of U. S. Route 30 and IL Highway 78. The event will be live-streamed on the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, for those unable to attend.
Share that new feature with family and friends who live away or are unlikely to venture outside. Click here for the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Another Chamber initiative is a lighting contest for businesses or residences; the theme is “Winter Nights and Magical Lights.” First-through-third place money prizes will be awarded, and winners receive a yard sign stating so.
Register below; the deadline for entry was extended through Saturday, December 12. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-morrison-christmas-walk-winter-nights-and-magical-lights-tickets-124293275533.
Mayor Everett Pannier will offer his annual Christmas welcome address. During the week of December 1 through 4, Jack Frost and Suzi Snowflake will be selected from Northside School students, via a coloring contest. During the December 5 community ceremony, these children bring the tree to light. Christmas carols will be led by Eric Phend. Children who attend the event will receive a goodie bag.
Schaefer said, “We are inviting Main Street businesses to bring some festive joy, decorate their windows, be open, and offer specials the evening of…December 5.”
She added children may bring their Letter to Santa that night–placed inside an envelope addressed to “Santa Clause, North Pole.” Be sure to include a return address. Letters should be placed into the new, North Pole mailbox. It will be located next to the Santa House, in Millikan Park, beside the Chamber of Commerce Office, 221 W. Main Street, Morrison.
Letters may be dropped off Saturday, December 5, through Monday, December 21.