News

Menasha parish offers more than local Christmas trees at tree lot

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

	CHRISTMAS TREES FOR SALE: Members of St. Patrick Parish in Menasha help carry a Christmas tree from A and R Tree Farms in Wautoma. The parish sells Christmas trees as a holiday fund-raiser. Pictured clockwise from left are Anja Marker, 10, her father, Mark, Steve Figi and Dustin, a foster child staying with the Marker family. (Dick Meyer photo)

MENASHA -- If you want a "great experience" shopping for a live Christmas tree, visit St. Patrick Parish, Menasha, the "Christmas Tree Parish."

However, shop early, said Joyce Naps, parish stewardship coordinator, and Steve Figi, long-time Christmas tree volunteer. The trees sell out quickly, usually by mid-December.

A d v e n t Time of Preparation

In the 14 years since the parish began the tree sales in 1993, there was only one year it did not sell out, said Naps. A club took the remainder to mark paths on the Lake Winnebago ice.

According to Naps and Figi, the Christmas tree lot grew out of a meeting during which parishioners brainstormed ideas for "building community," that is, involving more people in St. Patrick's.

"We needed more parish community building events," Naps explained. "That's primary; fundraising is secondary." She added that profits from tree sales go to parish ministries.

An added bonus of the tree lot is that parish members themselves cut the trees just a couple of weeks ago on a tree farm in Wautoma.

Parishioner Bill Phillips located a source for trees for the first year, said Figi. The second year, St. Patrick's went with A and R Tree Farms, which has been the supplier ever since. Bruce Niedermeier, the owner, grows Christmas tree farms in both Waushara and Waupaca counties.

"They have done just a great job for us," said Figi. "He's really very choosy about what he sells. He does a great job of selecting trees, cutting them and getting them to us."

Niedermeier ships about 500 trees to the parish each year, Naps and Figi said. Parishioners also make two trips to his farms, the first in late summer or early fall to check on tree growth, the second in November to cut trees.

Naps explained Niedermeier gives them about 30 free trees, which they cut themselves, and as many boughs "as we can fit into the trailer."

The first year, four people went to cut trees. This year, Naps said, there were five carloads. On the return trip, everyone stops for pizza.

The tree lot opens at 9 a.m. this Friday, Nov. 23, and closes at 7 p.m. This will be the only Friday it is fully staffed, said Naps. Normal business hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and are self-service. Customers select their trees and pay at the parish center.

"Full service" will be available Monday through Friday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Figi explained that "full service" means that six to ten volunteers are on hand to help customers. Adults work the tree lot while their children work in the warming room decorating the prayer cards that accompany each purchase.

"It's a family event. It's been delightful. We've seen children grow from card colorers to helping throw trees on cars, said Naps.

The lot stocks Fraser firs, balsam, white and blue spruce and about a "dozen concolor firs," Naps and Figi stated.

Concolors are new to Wisconsin. Figi described them as "very majestic, kind of Victorian looking" with larger needles. Their color tends toward a "very vibrant, very pleasing" blue-green. "These sell out fairly quickly," he said.

The volunteers "do whatever we can to have a good time and make it a great experience," Figi said, adding that many people do not find tree shopping pleasant. Not so for this lot, which has many repeat customers.

"We help with selection," Figi said, "trim it up to the right size, tie it on the car or put it in the trunk." In some cases, if customers can't transport trees, the volunteers will deliver them and even set them up.

They also answer customers' questions on tree care. Cards with that information accompany the purchases as do the prayer cards. At the lot, hot beverages are served while you shop and children get candy canes.

Tree prices range from $15 to $150. However, trees will be sold for whatever people can afford.

"I find people want to pay something," said Naps. "When they are able to pay a little, it's a kind of dignity thing."

The first year the lot opened, there were no customers on its first day. Today, customers take trees to Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. Some, who have ties to the area or who are passing through on their way to and from Packers games, stop and purchase one or more trees.

"We've gone from people not coming out to say hello that first year to where we are now known as the 'Christmas Tree Parish,'" said Figi. "We've come a long way."

For more information on St. Patrick's tree sales, call Naps at (920)725-8381, ext. 103.