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Boardman Park welcomes ‘Fat Albert’ spruce
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Daisy Girl Scout Troop #80580, who are kindergartners from Market Street Elementary School, showed off some of the animal-friendly ornaments that they made for their troop Christmas tree at Boardman Park on Dec. 4.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Bringing "Fat Albert," Boardman Park's new 11 foot Colorado Blue Spruce tree to the park required a lot of teamwork. When it was time to light the tree, Boardman township trustees, park officials, and honoree Clarence Smith, Sr., all used teamwork as they plugged in the community's first Christmas tree.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman native Amara Butler was the first child at Boardman park's Dec. 4 community Christmas to tell her holiday wishes to Santa Claus. Butler said she asked jolly old St. Nicholas for a doll from the Disney movie "Tangled."
By SARAH FOOR
For the last 15 years, Boardman Park has welcomed the holiday season with a festive light display that brightens the night.
At the park this year, David Collins of Diamond Steel Co. donated an 11-foot Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas tree to honor Clarence Smith, Sr., the first president of Diamond Steel.
The spruce, nicknamed “Fat Albert,” helped Boardman start a new tradition on Dec. 4 as the first community Christmas tree was lit at the 15th annual Christmas celebration.
The event began with some tree-trimming by Boardman schools, groups and organizations. “Fat Albert” was already decked out in maroon and gray, but guests were asked to decorate pine trees around the park with animal-friendly ornaments.
A leader of Boardman Girl Scout troop No. 80511, Patty Manning, shared how her girls prepared to trim their tree.
“We made our ornaments to appeal to the deer, squirrels, birds that frequent the park. We’ve strung Cheerios on yarn, covered foam with peanut butter and birdseed and put treats in little boats that we’ve made with orange peels. The girls really had fun with it,” Manning said.
Santa arrived at the park at 4 p.m. and talked with Boardman kids from his chair in the park’s gazebo.
Soon after, Boardman Park officials began the tree lighting ceremony and honored the new tradition.
“We hope that our new Blue Spruce will serve as a permanent reminder of the Christmas spirit. Our tree represents the spirit of unity and that light will shine far beyond our community,” said park commissioner Joyce Mistovich.
Township trustees, park officials, David Collins and Clarence Smith gathered and plugged in the Boardman tree. Moments later, the park’s holiday light show joined the community Christmas tree to wow the crowds.