Wooster’s official Christmas Tree has been lit
As the sun set and “liquid snow” fell on the square in downtown Wooster, Nov. 27, the community gathered for the annual lighting of Wooster’s official Christmas Tree.
Members of the Wayne Center for the Arts Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Chorus Manager Geoffrey Zimmerly, and The College of Wooster brass ensemble, under the direction of Professor Nancy Dittmer, led the crowd in singing Christmas carols as City Law Director Dick Benson served as master of ceremonies for one of Wooster’s favorite holiday traditions.
And a long tradition it has been.
According to Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jeff Griffin, whose organization sponsors the event, the tree atop Madison Hill was lit for the first time in 1983 as a tribute to August Imgard, who for many years was credited with bringing the tradition of the Christmas tree to America.
The honor of lighting the tree for the 29th time went to a husband and wife team who have a long tradition of involvement in the event - Al and Rosanne Burger.
“Al and Roseanne have been fixtures in downtown Wooster for a long time,” said Benson.
“Many of you may recognize Roseanne as a long-time businesswoman in downtown Wooster, where she operated A Country Tradition, a store that specialized in traditional American decorating and folk art,” said Benson.
“Roseanne made the original suggestion to add a public carol sing to the tree lighting,” said Benson, adding that for many years she “decorated the stage for the caroling with wreaths and pine roping, and she and her husband served hot chocolate to the singers and the instrumentalists afterwards.”
According to Benson, Roseanne Burger also “oversaw the collection of pennies in Wooster’s elementary schools for the making of the first star that crowned that magnificent Christmas Tree.”
In addition, Benson said Wooster native Al Burger recently retired from Wayne Savings and Loan, “where he served for 34 years, starting as a loan officer and retiring earlier this year as vice president of the loan servicing department.
“Among his many community activities, he has been a member of the board and treasurer of the Wayne County Historical Society and for the past eight years, he has been a member of Beall-Stibbs House restoration committee,” Benson added. Al Burger is also the son of the late Al Burger Sr.
“Al Senior was one of a trio of people who conceived of the idea of the Wooster Community Christmas Tree and turned it into a reality 29 years ago,” said Benson, noting that the other two members of the trio were Burney Huff and Jody Tyler.
Benson also extended his thanks to the many community members and organizations that made the event possible including the board of the Wooster Cemetery, who once again allowed the city to light the 130-foot Norway spruce, which has served as Wooster’s official Christmas Tree for more than a quarter of a century.
Benson also offered “a very special thank you to the members of the Wayne Armature Radio Club for engineering the light and socket replacement. Each year, these guys put in a great number of hours in order to make sure that the tree is properly lit and cared for.
“When we have to replace burned out bulbs, and you can be certain that there are always a few that need to be replaced, we can always count on the generous help of… Clear Picture and… Bogner Construction Company,” said Benson, adding that without their buckets and cranes, city officials couldn’t reach most of the 600 lights that adorn the tree.
Members of the Wayne Center for the Arts Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Chorus Manager Geoffrey Zimmerly, and The College of Wooster brass ensemble, under the direction of Professor Nancy Dittmer, led the crowd in singing Christmas carols as City Law Director Dick Benson served as master of ceremonies for one of Wooster’s favorite holiday traditions.
And a long tradition it has been.
According to Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jeff Griffin, whose organization sponsors the event, the tree atop Madison Hill was lit for the first time in 1983 as a tribute to August Imgard, who for many years was credited with bringing the tradition of the Christmas tree to America.
The honor of lighting the tree for the 29th time went to a husband and wife team who have a long tradition of involvement in the event - Al and Rosanne Burger.
“Al and Roseanne have been fixtures in downtown Wooster for a long time,” said Benson.
“Many of you may recognize Roseanne as a long-time businesswoman in downtown Wooster, where she operated A Country Tradition, a store that specialized in traditional American decorating and folk art,” said Benson.
“Roseanne made the original suggestion to add a public carol sing to the tree lighting,” said Benson, adding that for many years she “decorated the stage for the caroling with wreaths and pine roping, and she and her husband served hot chocolate to the singers and the instrumentalists afterwards.”
According to Benson, Roseanne Burger also “oversaw the collection of pennies in Wooster’s elementary schools for the making of the first star that crowned that magnificent Christmas Tree.”
In addition, Benson said Wooster native Al Burger recently retired from Wayne Savings and Loan, “where he served for 34 years, starting as a loan officer and retiring earlier this year as vice president of the loan servicing department.
“Among his many community activities, he has been a member of the board and treasurer of the Wayne County Historical Society and for the past eight years, he has been a member of Beall-Stibbs House restoration committee,” Benson added. Al Burger is also the son of the late Al Burger Sr.
“Al Senior was one of a trio of people who conceived of the idea of the Wooster Community Christmas Tree and turned it into a reality 29 years ago,” said Benson, noting that the other two members of the trio were Burney Huff and Jody Tyler.
Benson also extended his thanks to the many community members and organizations that made the event possible including the board of the Wooster Cemetery, who once again allowed the city to light the 130-foot Norway spruce, which has served as Wooster’s official Christmas Tree for more than a quarter of a century.
Benson also offered “a very special thank you to the members of the Wayne Armature Radio Club for engineering the light and socket replacement. Each year, these guys put in a great number of hours in order to make sure that the tree is properly lit and cared for.
“When we have to replace burned out bulbs, and you can be certain that there are always a few that need to be replaced, we can always count on the generous help of… Clear Picture and… Bogner Construction Company,” said Benson, adding that without their buckets and cranes, city officials couldn’t reach most of the 600 lights that adorn the tree.
Published: November 28, 2011
