It’s more than 2,700 miles from Wrangell to the nation’s capital — if you have a private jet. Or more than 3,600 miles if you plan to ride the state ferry and drive. Either way, Wrangell is far from Washington, D.C.
Except not really this year.
With a special Christmas tree, hundreds of handcrafted ornaments and a local hand at artful floral arrangements, Wrangell will make its presence known in the nation’s capital.
The official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a tall spruce cut from Zarembo Island, is on the road and on its way to Washington, due to arrive later this month, in plenty of time for the official lighting ceremony on the West Lawn of the Capitol on Dec. 3.
And before the lights come on, workers will hang thousands of ornaments made by Alaskans, including many crafted in Wrangell.
The high school students who helped devise the watering system to keep the tree alive during its long journey plan to attend the lighting ceremony, along with U.S. Forest Service and borough officials.
And joining the Wrangell contingent in town for the festivities will be Artha DeRuyter, the town’s florist who will put her talent to work helping to decorate the White House for the holidays. DeRuyter was selected as a member of the volunteer crew that will turn the president’s home into a showcase of flora and colors for the holiday season.
While 20 or so Wrangell residents will be in Washington for the tree lighting and to help with flowers at the White House, the other 2,000 residents can be proud of the community’s contribution.
- Wrangell Sentinel
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