McDONOUGH – Standing tall and proud at the four corners in McDonough is the town’s claim to fame: the stately Norway Spruce which residents say is the world’s largest living, longest lit Christmas Tree.
Lighting of the tree, which is believed to be nearly 120 years old, is a McDonough tradition which dates back to 1927, when the town was first wired for electricity. When the majestic conifer was last surveyed in 1996, it measured 100.3 feet, but current estimates put its height closer to 115 feet.
The tree has always been a great source of pride for local residents, but in recent years the lights adorning the tree, which remain up year-round, have fallen into disrepair. When local octogenarian Mariba Ford flipped the switch at last year’s tree lighting ceremony, held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, only a few of the lights came on, according to her daughter, Patricia M. Ford.
“It was very embarrassing,” Ford said. “I just made up my mind that something should be done.”
Not one to rest on her laurels, the McDonough woman is spearheading an effort to raise the money needed to purchase new lights for the tree. To help her fundraising efforts, Ford has enlisted the assistance of the McDonough Volunteer Fire Department, of which she is a long-time member. The volunteer department has long served as custodian of the tree, she explained.
Ford has estimated that it will cost roughly $4,000 to replace the current strands of colored incandescent bulbs, which were wired by fire department volunteers 10 to 15 years ago, with new LED lights.
Removing the old lights and stringing the new on the 115-foot spruce will be a challenge, but local business owner Uwe Kuhn has offered his services to assist with the process.
To raise the money needed for the project, Ford and the department’s volunteers are selling raffle tickets for $10 each. Only 400 of the tickets will be sold, she said. Winners will receive a cash prize, with $400 going to first place, $200 to second and $100 to third. The drawing will be held on Sept. 1 at the Fire Station.
“I have been very pleased with the sale so far,” said Ford, who reported that well over half of the tickets have already been sold.
In addition to the raffle, donations are also being accepted. Word of the fundraising effort has traveled fast. Those who have contributed so far include not only town residents, but also former and seasonal residents who feel strongly about the tree, Ford explained.
“We’ve gotten donations as big as $250 and as little as $1,” she added, “and they are all appreciated.”
So local residents can track the progress of the fundraising effort, Ford has made a pictorial representation of the Norway Spruce and placed it at the base of the tree. As money comes in and raffle tickets are sold, she paints more lights on the tree. So far, she said, roughly $2,700 has been raised.
To make a donation or to buy a raffle ticket, contact Ford by phone at 647-5553 or via e-mail at psawdust@frontiernet.net. Tickets can also be purchased from any member of the McDonough Volunteer Fire Department, or by sending a check made payable to the department to 312 Lake Road, McDonough, NY 13801.