Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004

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Neither storm nor wind shall dim this lighting

Fayette County Building Grounds and Maintenance employees David Miller (L) and Charlie Watson work to put the finishing touches on the repaired tree Monday afternoon. Photo/Lee Williams.

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Tree workers’ determination remained unshaken despite two setbacks that crushed their efforts as they worked to erect a 25-foot artificial Christmas tree in the county square last week.

Despite those setbacks, the men refused to let anything stand in their way. They knew they had to get the tree ready in time for the big day Saturday.

“Every year, we get the Christmas tree
ready for the tree-lighting ceremony, which is held every year,” explained Steve Rhoads, supervisor of the Building Grounds and Maintenance Department.

The employees were working to erect the towering faux fir in time for the Fayetteville Main Street’s 12th annual Old Fashioned Tree Lighting ceremony, which will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Park in Stonewall Village. However, their routine operation turned out to be anything but routine after Mother Nature threw a monkey wrench into their plans.

Wind gusts caused the top of the tree to topple on Nov. 22, forcing employees to dissemble the tree with a bucket lift machine, repair it and put it back up again.

Their effort was strong, but it proved to be no match for Mother Nature.

But two days later, heavy rain coupled with 50 mph winds caused the top of the tree to topple on Nov. 24, forcing employees to go back to the drawing board once again.

“It was twisted and bent,” Rhoads said. “We had to take it back to the shop and come up with some county ingenuity.”

Once the tree was dissembled, employee Brian Carnahan welded it back together. Next, employees Troy Duffey, Jeremy Smith, Letha Vogt, Kim Tallent, David Miller, Charlie Watson and Jason Harper worked to erect the tree once again. But this time, they brought reinforcements, extra guidewire.

“It has taken us an extra 2 1/2 days total to repair the tree on both occasions,” Rhoads said. “We added some extra cables this last time, and we think it will make it until Santa comes.”

Rhoads added the tree-lighting ceremony is sure to be a treat for the young and old. There will be entertainment, food and horse-drawn carriage rides with Santa.

The employees worked to put the finishing touches on the tree Monday afternoon. They placed huge sparkling icicles and pink flowers on the tree, courtesy of the Main Street Program.

Rhoads said he commends his employees for the hard work they put into repairing the tree to ensure this year’s tree-lighting event was special for the citizens of Fayette County.

“I’m very proud of the time and effort these men put into it,” he said. “When it was raining, they were working, trying to get the tree repaired in time for Saturday.”

What: Fayetteville’s Main Street 12th annual Old Fashioned Tree Lighting

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Heritage Park in Stonewall Village on Glynn Street in downtown Fayetteville

Activities: Entertainment provided by Fayette Idol winner Taylor Martinez, and finalists Denise Kelly, Devon Stillions and Diana and Danielle Rupenthal, horse-drawn carriage rides with Santa, Georgia chestnuts and hot cocoa and photos for sale.