By Matt Youngfrau
HURLEYVILLE — December 4, 2001 – Traditionally, such items as soup cans, fuzzy dice, and cows are not associated with Christmas.
This year, they are, and they were featured on some of the highly imaginative Christmas trees displayed at the Sullivan County Historical Society's 15th Annual Holiday Theme Tree Exhibit on Sunday at the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville.
Approximately 30 trees were displayed in the museum’s main hall. They had such themes as "Holiday Greetings," "Sheep," and "Presidents Tree." One tree was decorated with pictures of volunteers working on Sullivan Renaissance, while another featured pictures of all the welcome signs in the county. Some had American flags, and others had more traditional decorations.
"[The people who created the trees] came up with the themes on their own," commented Exhibit Chair Bill Burns. "There are some very beautiful and unique trees here this year."
There is also an increase in the number of trees. Last year, there were a total of 20 trees. This year, nearly 30 trees were on display.
Some had trains going around them.
One featured a mooing cow.
Yet another had a dancing and singing snowman.
"There was so much work involved," remarked Helen Roth. Roth and her partner, Elain Baum, created four exhibits. "We just didn't know where to start. We just hoped for the best."
The trees were not the only event at the museum on Sunday. Jeffrey Moore sang and performed on his Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer, and students from the Joan Pletter School of Ballet performed excerpts from "The Nutcracker." There was also an appearance by Santa Claus.
The trees will remain on exhibit at the museum until January 16.