Ten members of the Mount Airy garden club traveled to Annapolis late last month to trim a Christmas tree in the State House’s rotunda.
The tree trimming was part of the Maryland State House Christmas Tree project, which was hosted by Gov. Larry Hogan and first lady Yumi Hogan and welcomed garden clubs from all 24 jurisdictions to decorate Christmas trees.
“We were so honored to have the governor and his wife invite us to represent Carroll County,” Mount Airy garden club president Gwyn Webb said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland Inc. president Nicki Schwab said Gov. Hogan suggested the Maryland State House Christmas Tree project. The Hogans were married in a historical building around the holidays and Hogan had been so amazed by the beauty of the holiday decorations that he suggested this year that FGCMD members decorate Christmas trees in the State House’s rotunda, Schwab said.
“I can’t think of a better way to get into the holiday spirit than by decorating Christmas trees with Marylanders from all parts of the state,” Hogan said in a news release. “I want to thank all of the participating garden clubs for putting their time, talents, and creativity into helping to deck the halls of the State House.”
Editorial: Hogan has state going in the right direction
Editorial: Hogan has state going in the right direction
Webb said the tree’s design was a collaboration between the Mount Airy, Silver Fancy and Carroll garden clubs. Webb said the 6-foot, artificial tree was decorated with a red, white, and blue color scheme and burlap tree skirt. The theme was Historic Carroll County, and decorations included photographs from around the county, miniature quilts, bird houses and dried fruit.
“We worked on it for about a month ahead of time, and it took about an hour to decorate it,” Webb said.
The Mount Airy garden club’s exhibition chairwoman, Mary Voldt, said she organized the ornament-making by contacting the different clubs. The Silver Fancy garden club created the garland, dried apples, dried oranges and ornaments. The Carroll garden club made miniature barn quilts. The Mount Airy garden club designed flowers bundles and ornaments representing Carroll County’s towns, wineries, and service organizations.
“We met the day before to do a trial run to see if we needed anything else,” Voldt said. “We had so much that some things didn’t make it on the tree. We couldn’t have done it without the clubs working together and community donations.”
After they decorated the tree, Voldt said, 10 Mount Airy garden club members met the first couple, received a certificate of appreciation and were given ornaments embellished with the State House.
“I was very impressed by Gov. Hogan and his wife. They’re very sweet,” Voldt said. “We had a wonderful time. I hope we can do it again next year.”
While the trees are in the rotunda of the State House building, across the street at the Governor’s Mansion this weekend, the Hogans will host a Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 12 that will also include other decorations, refreshments and live music from Maryland high school groups, with a different performance each hour.
michel.elben@carrollcountytimes.com
