Community groups join in Christmas decorating

• 

• 

• 

(Photos by Cynthia J. Thomas)

On Thursday, October 15, several groups of women from the Pointe Royale community gathered near the Branson Ferris Wheel on W. 76 Country Blvd., to join members of the Christmas Coalition in decorating the city’s Christmas tree for Ozark Mountain Christmas. 

Participating ladies included members of the Veterans Memorial Garden Board of Directors; the Pointe Royale Ladies’ Golf League; and the Pointe Royale “She Rises” Bible study group. With the huge tree separated into its main sections, the women worked hard to apply garlands and other decorations themed in red, white and blue, to connect the America 250 theme to this year’s holiday season. 

Elizabeth Hughes, executive director of the Branson Christmas Coalition, shared that in addition to cooperation and support from adjacent properties The Tracks Family Fun Parks, Branson Ferris Wheel, and Branson Helicopter Tours, plus donors and funding partners, community collaboration such as that exhibited by the Pointe Royale groups is a huge part of making the Branson area a beautiful and popular Christmas destination as well as providing enjoyment for area residents. 

Veterans Memorial Garden Director Jana King Evans agrees, as several of the participants on the decorating team are also volunteers at the Veterans Memorial Garden. The Coalition and the Garden board of directors recently teamed up to repurpose and relocate the giant, five-pointed Adoration Star, which had been in storage for the past several years following its replacement due to tornado damage on Mount Branson, to the Memorial Garden for year-round display.  

In still another example of community spirit and cooperation, thanks to the generosity of the White River Valley Electric Cooperative’s Plugged-In grant program and generous area donors, the Coalition has been able to partner with Forsyth High School for students to fabricate custom lighted 40-inch snowflakes to adorn lampposts throughout the City of Forsyth this Christmas season.

Students under the direction of agriculture instructor Clint Gailey and area fabricator Frank English are currently adding lighting kits to the snowflakes, gaining practical experience while investing into a project they can enjoy for years to come. 

A big thanks to these amazing volunteers and others who join forces and give their time to help make Branson and surrounding communities a beautiful place to celebrate the Christmas season.