By Ida Brown
ibrown@themeridianstar.com
The holiday traditions of more than 20 countries will be depicted during the 41st Annual Trees of Christmas Tour, Nov. 20-Jan. 2.
Meridian's two most famous historic homes – the antebellum mansion Merrehope and the Victorian F.W. Williams Home – will be the setting for the local holiday tradition that has garnered both statewide and national attention.
"A Global Christmas" is the theme for this year's tour, which, according to Betty Lou Jones, president of the Meridian Restorations Foundation, depicts holiday traditions around the world through the eyes of children and adults.
"It's a holiday event that's educational, inspirational and entertaining ," said Jones.
Many of those involved in organizing the tour agree.
"The exchange students from Lauderdale County Schools were very excited to make ornaments from their countries to decorate the International Tree for Merrehope's Trees of Christmas," said Dana Cangemi, a spokesman for the group.
"The beautiful lights emphasize the power of water on this blue planet that unites humanity."
Georgia Jackson, a retired Meridian Public Schools teacher, describes the historic homes and annual holiday tour as "one of Meridian's best kept educational secrets."
And Karen Wallace, a Trees of Christmas volunteer, said she is inspired by the creativity of those who decorate the trees.
"The students and adult volunteers are so creative and artistic and so necessary in having a successful tour," Wallace said.
This year's tour features 21 trees and displays at both houses. Trees featured and their decorators are:
• Merrehope – American, Lauderdale County Farm Supply & Gift Shop; France, Fortnightly Club; Russia, The Round Table Club; Merrehope Tree, Time & Tide Club; International Tree, Exchange Students of Lauderdale County Schools; Germany, Lauderdale County Christian Homeschool Students; Ireland, St. Patrick's Catholic School; Scotland, The Scottish Society; Spain Russell Christian Academy; Canada, Beta Chapter, Alpha Delta Kappa; Holland, Van Zyverden Inc.; and Antarctica, decorator not listed.
• F.W. Williams House – Victorian, Galaxy Club; China, Art Students of West Lauderdale High School; Japan, Meridian Activity Center; McDonald's Happy Meal Tree, Fonda Rush and her grandchildren; Mexico, QUEST Students of Southeast and Northeast Elementary schools; Israel, decorator not listed; Kenya, Young Professionals Association of Meridian; Ukraine Spider Tree, Round Table Club and Tide & Time Club; Brazil, Friendship Garden Club; Sweden, Debs Social Club; Greenland, Northeast Elementary School Special Needs Students.
A Candlelight, Champagne and Chocolate Gala on Nov. 19 will be the tour's opening event. Held from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., the gala is designed to set the stage for the holiday season, Jones said. Piano music will be provided by Barry Germany. Tickets are $25 per person; reservations recommended, but not required.
Another complementary event is the Merry Merry Merrehope Brunch on Dec. 6. There will be two seatings, at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Admission is $30; reservations are limited and required.
Daily tours for the Trees of Christmas begin Nov. 20 and will continue to Jan. 2. The tour will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Want to go?
What: 41st Annual Trees of Christmas Tour
When: Nov. 20-Jan. 2, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Merrehope and F.W. Williams House, 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Drive
Admission: $10 per person; special rates available for children, seniors and groups of 10 or more
Information: Call
(601) 483-8439 or visit the Web site www.merrehope.com
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Annual Trees of Christmas Tour begins Nov. 20
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