2022 Tree
For the 32nd time the Rochester Woodcarvers have put together a tree for Hiawatha Home’s Festival of Trees.
“Gnome for the Holidays” was the theme for under the tree. It’s a busy gnome village, populated with gnomes of all designs and sizes. For example, gnomes with normal noses, round noses and even long pointy noses. While one of them decorates a tree with red ornaments, another is seated at a feast including lefse, lutefisk and other wonderful treats. Another gnome drives a sled carrying a freshly cut tree that is pulled by a Norwegian fjord. A wonderful array of gnome homes are present. Some are small with short, welcoming inhabitants standing near by while others have whimsical birch bark roofs and another shows the warm glow of a flickering fire. Thin slices of trees form stepping stone paths throughout the village while tiny, real tamarack cones dotted the scene. Like any forest, the trees come in many sizes and varieties.
The tree is adorned with roughly 150 ornaments in nearly as many designs. Joining the normal array of carved wooden Christmas ornaments are some woodland animals, tiny gnome houses as well as more gnomes.
The tree topper is a wooden Swedish Star. When removed from the tree, a separate base allows it to function as a standalone decoration.
Shortly after the village was assembled and populated with gnomes, some graffiti appeared on the back of the village sign.
During the Festival, some of our club members were there as “Tree Ambassadors” drawing people’s attention to the tree and that it was the prize of the raffle. At the end of the Festival a women from Harmony was the winner.
The tree brought in $3,040 for Hiawatha Homes!
Thank you to all of the folks that contributed their time and creations to make this tree a success.