During this holiday season area residents, returning family members, and visitors will have a Mt. Pleasant surprise as they approach the Whiteside County covered bridge, near the intersection of Crosby and Norrish Roads, just outside Morrison, IL. They will find an extra incentive to take a photograph because of lighted decorations that brighten the venue.
Morrison Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Walk Committee secured artificial wreaths to adorn the east and west facades of the covered bridge. The idea had been under consideration for three years, and public interests shared the idea.
On Monday, November 17, 2014, floral designer Stephanie Mann posed with one of a pair of 48″ artificial wreaths she had ordered for the Christmas Walk Committee. Mann owns Wilson Greenhouses & Florist, 103 N. Heaton Street, Morrison. She installed 210 LED lights per wreath, supplied by a Chamber member, and then added red flocked ribbon.
Wreaths were delivered to Highway Commissioner Kent Shepard, below left, at the Mt. Pleasant Township garage on Tuesday, November 18. Township employee Daniel Deter, right, sprayed the ribbons with clear silicone, to protect them from the elements. Shepard arranged for the use of a boom truck from the City of Morrison Public Services Department to install the new decorations.
About 8:30 a.m., on Thursday, November 20, the beautification project was implimented. The wreaths were hung at the peaks. Shepard, Deter, and Dan Quick also installed rope lighting around entrances to the bridge and the perimeter of some “window” openings, along the sides.
Shepard said he switched the lights on at 5:45 p.m., and two people immediately stopped to comment! The holiday lights will be turned on each evening at 6:00 and remain glowing in the winter darkness until New Year’s Day, Janurary 1, 2015.
Happy holidays from the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Walk Committee and its “helper elves” at Wilson Greenhouses & Florist, Mt. Pleasant Township Garage, and Morrison Public Services Department.