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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Fit and trimmed, Berlin’s tree goes up in downtown

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 23, 2017) About a dozen volunteers gathered at the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin last Thursday to decorate the town Christmas tree, which was installed two days earlier by the town public works crews.

“The Atlantic Hotel is a beautiful backdrop,” Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said. “It’s our town square and we don’t have a whole lot of other space for a big tree that allows people to take their pictures without standing in the road.”

The tree itself came from the Cawley Family Farm in Denton and was selected by Patty Falck, who organized the tree decoration in 2016.

When Falck became ill last week, Wells, administrative assistant Sharon Timmons and others joined to string lights and hang ornaments and tinsel.

“We had a nice turnout. We asked for volunteers and a lot of people showed up,” Wells said. “We’ve got pizza for everyone here and we plan on getting it all done today. It’s a beautiful day to decorate a tree.”

The town sponsored a community ornament drive during the previous year and Wells said those would again adorn the tree this year.

“However, this year, when the tree comes down, people are encouraged to come and collect their ornaments,” she said. “We probably won’t use them next year, so they can have their ornament to keep.

“Because it was so beautiful last year, everyone wanted to keep [the decorations] the same for one more year,” Wells added.

The tree is a holiday calling card of sorts for the town, Wells said.

“People like to come down and they like to get their picture taken in front of the tree. It shows community spirit and it’s a wonderful place to be,” Wells said. “Plus, it puts you in the Christmas spirit.”

The lights will be turned on for the first time during a ceremony expected to draw thousands, Friday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.