Star-Journbal Editor
The Scotch pine towering above the others at Pine Creek Farm was just what Christy Wulf was looking for; a most worthy choice for the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree.
At 18 feet high, it was the tallest of thousands growing at the cut-it-yourself farm, located a mile west and two miles south of Goessel.
Wulf, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce director, was overjoyed that she'd been able to find a perfect pine this side of the Marion County line.
But alas and alack, Wulf wondered, how would she cut the tree? Get it to Main Street? "To tree or not to tree?" (She didn't say that, but we couldn't resist). Wulf had a problem.
No print from Currier & Ives ever showed anyone dragging a Christmas tree so far from forest to home; and besides, as of last week in Marion County, there was no snow on which to slide it. And even though she drives a Ford truck, it's not tough enough or big enough to carry this payload.
What Wulf needed to make her holiday tree come true — was someone to volunteer to pay for it, cut it down, load it up, and haul it back to town, where city workers would be waiting to hoist it up and tie it down.
No problem, Cristi!
This is Ho! Ho! Hillsboro!
Circle D Corporation donated the money to purchase the tree (about $70). Hillsboro fire chief Ben Steketee used a chain saw to cut it down. Steketee and a few of his beefy friends lugged the fallen tree and hefted it up onto a shiny, new 500 Series flatbed trailer made by Flint Hills Industries, dba Hillsboro Industries, Inc.
Company president Phil Wyssonback strap-ratcheted the tree securely, zip-tied it for good measure, and then towed it back to town.
After trimming the trunk more precisely, city workers used a hook on the bucket truck to hoist the tree up, up into place, twisting it so the best side faces Main Street, before tie-down.
At least one little boy was thrilled to see the tree go up. Master Noah Bartel and his mother, Rita, watched from across the street.
"He was more excited about the big truck than the tree, I think," she said.
Before Saturday the lights will be strung on the tree by city electrical workers, and members of the Hillsboro High School Leo Club will put on the ornaments.
When the lights are turned on at 6 p.m. Saturday, you'll know who to thank. But the volunteers who helped put this tree up say they should be thanking Wulf.
"It's the spirit of Christmas," said Steketee, who cut the tree. "When you get that pine sap all over you, it's always good!"
Wyssonbach, who was happy to lend the trailer, the truck, and a hand, agreed, saying the good deed had him all keyed-up for Christmas.
"It's my favorite time of the year," he said.
