Christmas Tree | Tree Story | Tree Photo | Reservation Info
Courtesy John F. Simitz
Photographer / Morning Call
Story of The Stonehedge Christmas Tree
by Lu Houtz
THIS tree! This inspirational creation!
How did it originate and become the focal point of the Christmas season for so many people?
As with many traditions, it started simply. An ordinary Christmas tree (well - maybe not SO ordinary - nothing Don Herring did was ordinary!) decorated for sharing with friends and family to celebrate the Christmas season.
But, like Topsy, it just growed!!! Stonehedge always had a tree, but as with most homes, it was limited by space. There was a normal seven-foot tree, always tastefully decorated. However, Don would never be satisfied. It had to be bigger, better, and more enjoyable! So - one year - 1972, to be exact - his eyes were bigger than the living room and - as happens with many families, the tree was just a mite too tall - by about three to four feet. Cut the tree? Not at Stonehedge. You cut a hole in the ceiling instead! And so it began!
Between the years of 1972 and 1978, the tree was decorated and changed according to Don's whims and inspirations, but remained, more or less, at the ten-foot size. The "hole" incidentally (Incidentally?!?) eventually evolved into the two-story living room and balcony as it exists today. In 1978, however, Don and Russ decided to start inviting their ceramic studio students upstairs for a Christmas celebration.
Word of the tree was spread by the students to families and friends and interest in the tree began to grow -as did the tree. By 1980, when the teaching studio was closed and the gift shop opened, the tree had reached it's present height - much to Don's frustration. But Russ had finally put his foot down. No hole in the house roof! So Don took off in another direction - can't make the tree larger? Then make it more spectacular. Beginning with only clear and gold light strings, and using just one musical selection, "O Sanctissima," Don presented the first tree "lighting." Simple in comparison to today's lightings, nonetheless, it was quite impressive. A gradual introduction of gold lights, and then during the major climaxes of the music, the white lights illuminating the tree in three sections. All this was accomplished with hundreds of feet of household extension cords, leading from the tree, draped over the balcony, and connected to ordinary rotary house dimmers. Adding to the glimmer of the tree were pendants of Austrian crystal, leftover from the studio, which Don, with his usual inspiration, strung together as ornaments.
During 1980 - 1981, word continued to spread about the unique tree lighting and more and more customers asked if they could see the tree when it was in place. At that point, Don and Russ decided to share their tree and living quarters with every one and opened their home to the general public on weekends. During the decade of the 80's, refreshments were introduced, and sometimes, additional entertainment was provided. by friends and acquaintances who, inspired by the tree, wanted to share in this gift of the season. It did not always go smoothly, of course. Simply having to locate a tree of that size was problematical - not to mention bringing it into the room through that ordinary second story window. But with the annual assistance of friends each November 1st, the task was accomplished. Except for the time it took two days to get the tree through the window, but....!
Then there was also the time early on when the tree was not secured well enough!!! Yes - it came down. Fortunately a friend, George Shemansky, was in the living room at the time. He was able to grab a decorative hay rake from the post, shove it into the tree and hold it up, while pounding on the floor until others heard and came to see what was the matter. Amazingly, the tree was returned to position without a single ornament harmed and the tradition continued.
Additional unusual ornaments were found, donated, or made each year. The angels were created by Russ. Don found the hand blown glass globes and then the spirals. And always more and more Austrian crystal Our patrons of the tree were enthralled and pleased by the presentation But not Don Herring! After a decade of yellow and white lights, it was time for something new. The blue lights and "Ave Maria" were added to the program during the 1990 season and nightly lightings began. Rotary motors for the crystals and spirals were introduced in 1991, adding to the beauty and goal which Don was trying to achieve - that goal being to share the beauty with all people he could reach.
Then, in the spring of 1992, disaster struck. Don was taken from us. His ideas, inspirations, and uniqueness were no more. Don had done everything. He strung the lights, decorated the tree, ran the program.... there would not be another Stonehedge tree. But NO! We, at Stonehedge could not accept that. There WOULD be another tree - as a tribute to Don's memory. Friends rallied around, donating their talents, time, and materials. A new dedicated electrical system used only for the tree was installed eliminating the extension cords, sliding switches to replace the old rotary dials for lighting, green lights and "The First Noel" were added to the program.
The tree was (and since has been) donated by Donald Gintzig, the administrator of the Pottsville Hospital. Kenny Young took on the daunting task of placing the lights and running the program. Russ and friends decorated the tree. The 1992 season began with what we hoped would have been Don's approval. In the years to follow, the violet lights were added. A second dedicated electrical line was necessitated in 1996 by the addition of the red lights and snowflakes; and Lu Houtz, under the tutelage of Kenny, undertook the programming - although Kenny still places the lights each year. Whew!. Last year, additional colored spotlights were introduced, adding some new special effects.
Each season continues to inspire us toward additional heights - some practical - some impractical. But whatever the result, our goal remains Don's goal - to share the beauty of the tree - and the season - with all who come to Stonehedge.
