Christmas Tree Lane, Dove Tree moving forward with some changes

While this holiday season may look different with the COVID-19 pandemic, several Wrangell traditions are still going strong. The public will still be able to participate in the annual Christmas Tree Lane, though there will be some changes. The Dove Tree ceremony is still moving forward, as well.

Christmas Tree Lane is a yearly fundraiser for the Hospice of Wrangell. People and organizations across the city donate uniquely decorated Christmas Trees, and then others can place bids on them to take home for the holidays.

Traditionally, Christmas Tree Lane has been hosted in the Nolan Center. However, in response to an increase of COVID-19 cases across the state, the city has temporarily closed all their buildings to the public. This includes the Nolan Center. Alice Rooney, one of the organizers behind Christmas Tree Lane, said that Evergreen Elementary School came to the rescue.

Trees can be dropped off at Evergreen Elementary School during normal school hours, Rooney said, but the school asks that people call ahead before stopping by. The trees will be set up in the school, she said, and starting on Dec. 1 the school will post pictures of the trees online for bidding. Rooney said that the relocation was not only good for Hospice of Wrangell, but also for the students at Evergreen Elementary School. A lot of their holiday traditions, such as the annual Christmas concert, have been cancelled due to the pandemic. Having the trees in the elementary school will help bring some holiday spirit to the school.

"This is to brighten their holiday, and the teachers too," Rooney said.

More information about Christmas Tree Lane can be found on Facebook, under "Christmas Tree Lane 2020."

"It is our pleasure to host this event on behalf of Hospice and our hope that it has eased the burden of change," Jenn Miller-Yancey, with Evergreen Elementary, said. "We've emphasized with the students over the last three months that things may not always look the same, or even be the same at all, this school year, but we are going to find new ways of doing what we have done and/or we are going to show/practice resilience and adaptability by doing new things. We are counting our blessings that we can safely be in school together while making the very best of things under new guidelines, mandates, and procedures. Being able to host this event is one of those things."

Miller also emphasised that, aside from people dropping off and picking up the trees, Christmas Tree Lane will be completely virtual this year. Bidding will open on Dec. 1 or 2, she said.

Rooney added that the annual Dove Tree ceremony will be moving forward, as well, with some changes. The Dove Tree is a way for Wrangell residents to honor the memory of loved ones lost in the past year, with a Christmas tree decorated with doves. Rooney said that radio station KSTK will be hosting a broadcast of the ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 5. Those tuning in can expect a half-hour ceremony where the names of those who have passed are read, as well as music. Rooney also said that a physical Dove Tree will be set up in the downtown pavilion, around Dec. 1.