Seven homes open Sunday for Parade of Trees

This article submitted by Linda Stelling on 12/3/96.

The Paynesville Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring the Parade of Trees on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Seven homeowners will be opening their homes to the public and showing off their Christmas trees. Homes open to the public are Evie and Curt Sorensen, Scott and Michelle Fischbach, Terry and Kim Johnson, Greg and Becky Wellens, Gene and Sharon Schmidt, Harold and Agnes Fangmeier, and Alldon Park.

The Fischbach home has two 10-foot live decorated trees and a replica of the nativity at the Vatican. The first Christmas tree at the Johnsonâs is decorated in burgundy, ivory and gold decorations and the second tree is decorated with blocks and bears.

The Wellenâs home has five trees. Each tree is decorated with blown glass ornaments from Germany, Italy, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. The tree in their daughterâs room shows what you might you find in a garden (asparagus, artichokes, bunnies and even bugs). Their sonâs tree focuses on sea life and his tree provides the most challenge from year to year. The dining room tree is laden with colored glass fruit, while the tree in the music room has their original angel ornaments.

The tree at the Fangmeier home is a 7.5-foot Himalayan spruce decorated with brass, lighted ornaments, mauve and ivory roses and beads.

At the Sorenson home are several trees decorated for the holiday. Evie said she enjoys decorating her home for Christmas. Everywhere you look are dolls, snowmen and Santa Clauses. She said she has about seven larger snowmen outside on display and 10 inside, not counting the 75 smaller ones on the Christmas tree.

ãDecorations make the home feel more festive for the holiday,ä Sorensen said. It takes her between 50 and 60 hours to decorate inside and out. ãI get immersed in my decorating and sometimes forget to stop,ä she added. ãOnce Iâm started, I keep going and find one more little thing to add and before you know it, it is 5 a.m.ä

ãCurt doesnât get as enthusiastic about decorating as I do,ä she said. ãHe thinks I get carried away. The kids love my decorating until it is time to help, then they disappear. Of course, they all volunteer to help themselves to some of the decorations for their own homes.ä

Sorensen has a large tree in the living room, a tree in the family room and another on the deck. The tree in the living room features about 175 ornaments: little santas and snowmen, 60 clumps of babyâs breath; stars, ribbon and pearl garlands. The tree outside is decorated with pine cones and red bows. Several of the pine cones are covered with peanut butter and bird seed for the birds. The tree in the family room is covered with gold beads, gold lace bows from her parentâs golden anniversary celebration, and wooden ornaments.

Every room in the house is decorated for Christmas. Every year she tries to add a new item to her collection. This year it was the large Santa that visitors will see at the top of the stairway on the main floor and another in the bathroom.

Along with the Parade of Trees, the Paynesville Area Hospital Auxiliary is celebrating their 40th anniversary with their annual Christmas Tea and bake sale. Local performers will entertain throughout the afternoon at 700 Stearsn Place. Among the entertainers are the String Oâ Pearls, Erin Pelton, Kim Colbert, and Dr. Bob Gardner. Tickets and a brochure describing the homes on the Parade of Trees are $5 and can be picked up at 700 Stearns Place on Dec. 8.

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