Legion/auxiliary, MCCO awarded for Christmas Tree Trail
Presenters for this year’s tree trail were City of Madison, Madison Station Historic Preservation Society, Madison Sesquicentennial Committee, Madison Arts Council, Madison Public Library, Rotary Club of Madison and Madison City Community Orchestra or MCCO.
Judges chose Madison American Legion, Post 229/American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 229 for “Mayor’s Choice Award.” MCCO received “Most Creative Award.” Skyline Baptist Church received Honorable Mention.
“The city and historic society received many great comments on the 2019 trail, which brought hours of entertainment in our historic downtown and brightened the holidays of all who visited,” event coordinator Debbie Overcash said. Overcash also is historical society president.
“This event would not have been possible without the cheerful, professional and expert aid of Parks and Rec Assistant Department Head, Kelly Johnson,” Overcash said..”
Decorating the Legion/Auxiliary tree were Auxiliary Unit 229 members Jean Downs and Pam Rogers; Junior Auxiliary members Mary Downs and Olivia Downs; and Post 229 member Brady Rogers.
The theme “Salute to Madison’s Fallen Veterans” featured handmade ornaments with veteran’s name and war in which each service member fought, including Madison’s two Medal of Honor soldiers. “The tree was decorated in American flags; red, white and blue lights; and other patriotic adornments,” Jean Downs said.
MCCO Conductor Sandy Weisner said Allison Edgecomb, MCCO Assistant Conductor, designed their 2019 tree. “We continued our 2019 Holiday Concert theme, ‘Home for the Holidays,’ for our downtown tree. We feel that, while MCCO is truly a community organization with all of our diverse players, the orchestra actually feels like one big family.”
“For the tree, we had white and blue lights for the orchestra’s main colors; blue Christmas balls; and clear balls with various musical instrument charms,” Weisner said. “We topped the tree with an angel with musical ribbon trailing down the tree to symbolize how much music plays a part of the holiday get together.”
MCCO’s display included a homemade fireplace with stockings, mantle decorations and a wreath wrapped in the same musical ribbons to complete the feeling of being “Home for the Holidays,” Weisner said.
Madison City Council and Mayor Paul Finley will recognize winners at the Jan. 13 council meeting.
Numerous other groups participated in the tree trail:
* Businesses — BancorpSouth, Cre8ve Content Co., Eva Bank, Hospice of North Alabama, Madison Hospital, Madison Surgery Center, Main Street Cafe, Matt Balch – Attorney at Law, Old Black Bear Brewery, Opie Balch Realty, STI Electronics Inc., The Riley Center, Torch Technologies.
* Churches — Harvest Pointe Methodist Church, St John Knights of Columbus.
* Municipal departments — Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison Family of the Year, Madison Parks and Recreation, Madison Sesquicentennial Committee.
* Civic groups — Just Serve, Madison City Schools Spanish students, Madison Friends of the Library, Madison Garden Club, Rotary Club of Madison.
All proceeds will benefit the Madison Station Roundhouse Restoration Project.
