TERRE HAUTE —
Determined decorators braved strong winds and cold temperatures Friday to begin work on displays for year’s Christmas in the Park.
The Wabash Valley Master Gardeners, defending champions in the shelter decorating contest that helps make Christmas in the Park the spectacle it is, were busy assembling their display for this year, titled “Sweets and Treats.”
“We’ll keep working ‘til we’re frozen,” said a bundled-up Beth Keyes, one of about a dozen Master Gardeners working at the group’s shelter inside Deming Park.
The Master Gardeners were not the only organization working Friday morning. A few hundred yards to the east, members of Boy Scout Troop 200, frequent champions and last year’s third-place team, were also busily assembling this year’s project.
“It looked good in the design,” said a chilly Tyler Keith, senior patrol leader for Troop 200, speaking of this year’s display, titled “Snow Men at Night.”
The Boy Scouts will attempt to depict what an imaginary group of snowmen might be doing at night when no one is watching, said Scout Master Mike Chambers.
Not to be outdone, the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, last year’s first runner-up, has already set up its display, “Girl Scout Express,” just a few yards from the Boy Scouts.
Often the Troop 200 displays involve sophisticated animation, such as a moving train or flying reindeer. That probably helps them receive good marks from the shelter contest judges, but can also cause problems. Two years ago, a swirling “tornado,” part of a Christmas in Oz display, caught fire during setup, Keith recalled, smiling.
Last year’s first place winner of the Christmas in the Park received $2,000. Second place received $1,500 and third place $1,000. Each entry received at least $500.
In addition to frequently cold, windy, rainy or snowy conditions, theft and vandalism are problems that participants in Christmas in the Park must keep in mind. The Master Gardeners have lost hundreds of dollars worth of materials over the years, they said. As a result, they are holding some of their decorations back until closer to Dec. 3 when all of displays will be illuminated at once during an annual lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Shelter judging will take place at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10.
Each year, approximately 100,000 people travel through Deming Park to see the roughly 17 decorated displays. Now in it’s 26th Year, Christmas in the Park has become a strong holiday tradition in Terre Haute.
When they are not setting up their annual Christmas shelter, the Master Gardeners maintain gardens all around the Terre Haute area, including their “Giving Garden” at the Vigo County Fairgrounds, from which the organization donates thousands of pounds of fresh food to local charities each year.
The not-for-profit organization also sponsors scholarships at Ivy Tech Community College and provides educational training sessions on horticultural principles. The group is pleased that much of their Christmas in the Park display this year is made from recycled or recyclable materials, they added.
“We do have a good group and we work well together,” said Debbie Lazzell, another member of the Master Gardeners working Friday morning. “It all just comes together.”
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Magic: Detail photo of the Girl Scouts Christmas in the Park display.
-
Master: Steve Keyes installs lights on the Ozok Shelter in Deming Park as the Master Gardeners prepare their annual Christmas in the Park display Friday morning.
-
Lights: Wendy Keith works at checking lights at the Boy Scouts Christmas in the Park display Friday morning.
-
Park: Detail photo of the Girl Scouts Christmas display in Deming Park.
-
Scouts: Members of Boy Scouts Troop 200 work to erect their display in Deming Park Friday morning.
-
Masters: Members of the Master Gardeners work preparing their Christmas in the Park display Friday morning in Deming Park.
Discussion
Annual lighting ceremony takes place Dec. 3
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 21, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Monday and Tuesday, based on jail records.
-
UPDATE: Damage surveys show 2 weak tornadoes hit near Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — The National Weather Service says storm surveys show two weak tornadoes struck central Indiana.
-
Storm causes scattered Indiana power outages
INDIANAPOLIS — A line of thunderstorms that moved across Indiana caused scattered building damage and power outages for several thousand homes and businesses.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
UPDATE: 5 killed, 6 injured in I-70 van crash in Illinois
ST. LOUIS — A van carrying church members returning from a California gathering careened off of a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times today, killing five people and sending six others to hospitals, authorities said.
-
2 children reported dead from Indianapolis fire
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say some autistic children lived in the Indianapolis condominium unit where a fire has killed two children.
-
Tighter Indiana drunken driving law seems unlikely
INDIANAPOLIS — Some key Indiana legislators say it’s unlikely that the state will any time soon go along with a federal safety board’s recommendation that the threshold for drunken driving be cut nearly in half.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 20, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, based on jail records.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: April 29-May 3
The Vigo County Health Department inspected the following food establishments April 29-May 3:
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 21, 2013
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
