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Community Christmas Tree is a 'community effort'

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Tillsonburg’s Community Christmas Tree will officially light up for the holiday season tonight at 6:30 p.m. and the community is invited to attend the annual tree-lighting ceremony.

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The Community Tree, which will go up in front of the Tillsonburg Branch of the Oxford County Library on Broadway, is a true community effort, said Patricia Phelps, Manager of Culture & Heritage, Curator at Annandale National Historic Site.

“The Town of Tillsonburg has ensured there is a community tree this year,” said Phelps, “but it’s taken a community effort to help us light our Community Tree.

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“We’re very excited to have a lighting ceremony for our tree (starting at 6:30). Mayor Stephen Molnar will turn on the lights, and The Salvation Army – Captain Nancy Sheils – will launch their Kettle Campaign. Historical re-enactor Stephen Bourne is the MC and the Town Crier will be there.”

John and Lisa Cook are donating the tree.

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“It’s a tree that had to come down,” said Phelps, noting it was already scheduled to be taken down before being donated as the Community Tree.

The Tillsonburg BIA is assisting with transportation of the tree from the Cook’s home to the front of the library, where it will shine on Broadway.

“We’d like to thank the BIA for helping us transport the tree,” said Phelps, noting it’s not quite as big as the tree two years ago – an enormous tree that towered majestically over Broadway.

“No, that tree was really big… perhaps a little too big,” she smiled, recalling the driver assigned to transport it had said, ‘wait a minute, I’ll be back with a bigger trailer.'”

Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. is cutting down the tree, installing it, and putting on the lights.

The Tillsonburg Branch of the Oxford County Library is providing hydro to light the tree.

“We did ask them,” Phelps laughed.

“We are indebted to Oxford County Library Tillsonburg Branch, because we do plug into their building, they’re paying for the hydro.”

And Chrissy’s Catering is supplying hot chocolate for the evening.

“It’s great to work with so many great people in the community,” said Phelps, “to bring such a symbol of the season for all of us.”

cabbott@postmedia.com

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