'Tots' helps light up the holidays
It’s now known as "The Little Tree That Could."
According to the Good News Network website, Avril and Christopher Rowlands first bought the fir at a local garden center for £6 shortly after they moved into their new home.
Then at 6 feet tall, the fir served as their first Christmas tree. They later planted the tree in the yard, taking a photo to commemorate the occasion, according to the website.
Fast forward 43 years and the tree now towers over Inkberrow, Worcestershire, known as one of the darkest places in the United Kingdom because it is one of the few without any streetlights. It's also so tall that it requires a cherrypicker to help place the 3,000-plus lights.
It also serves as the town's unofficial Christmas tree and was the center of a lighting ceremony. As the lights turned on to the cheers of the town's 2,000 residents, it could be seen for miles around.
“The switching on of the lights has become quite a village tradition,” Avril is quoted as saying on the website. “A lot of people in the village say that it’s the start of their Christmas.”
The GNN story says the tree's size continues to surprise them, saying they never expected it to be the size it now is.
“We had no idea just how big it would grow. It’s absolutely huge now and towers over our house.”
Because it serves as a source of cheer and light, the Rowlands' tree has its own fanbase.
"The tree has become a big part of our lives and the switching on of the lights has become quite a village tradition," Avril Rowlands is quoted as saying on Birmingham Live. "A lot of people in the village say that it's the start of their Christmas. We even get cards addressed to the tree which is quite sweet."
Also serving as a source of cheer are the Sandpoint Lions, which work to brighten the Christmas of local children in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.
Today's generous donations total $755 and come from Sharon Lanning, $50; John and Barbara Juneau, $100; Pamela Duquette, $10; Norma Benda, $125; Stanley and Stephen Curran $250; Judy and Warren Cunningham, $20; and anonymous, $200.
To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $18,238 of the Sandpoint Lion's goal of $50,000 for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
Sign-up applications are available at the Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den at 609 S. Ella Avenue right by the caboose in Lakeview Park. They can also be downloaded at bit.ly/3x7md4o.
Registration started Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 17. Those filling out the application are reminded to be sure to fill out both pages and return your application promptly.
As last year, the application form includes information for parents to detail a wish list for each of their children as well as their favorite color and TV show or movie. This allows the Lions to fulfill as many wishes as they can.
Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay and Sandpoint Starbucks.
Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.
If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.
Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118