Kindling the Tradition

The Arboretum is honoring the spirit of tradition throughout December with holiday lights in memory of Bob Bickelhaupt. The Frank Iten display of our childhood in Clinton was Bob's favorite. He often recalled the excitement when the lights were lit by the Sunday Evening Supper Club on the Iten family lawn, which is now the site of Sarah Harding Home. Bob's appreciation of holiday lights never waned.

Please join us at Bickelhaupt Arboretum dawn to dusk daily - wander through the collections in their winter glory or just come and have some winter fun - as we honor Mother Earth-and the birth of her Lord...

The highlight of the celebration will be the lighting of the Gingko tree on Dec 21st - the Winter Solstice - and everyone is welcome at 5:30. The blue lights symbolize "honesty" and the white lights represent the medicine wheel's white for "winter". Dress warmly and bring a stick or twig from your yard to kindle the fire pit. This ceremony will include readings, songs and refreshments.

Throughout Christmas week, Arboretum guests are invited to take a walk up the lighted paved Garden Path, accompanied by holiday music (halleluiah!) from 7-8 pm each evening December 21st thru the 30th- (excluding Christmas Eve) to the Visitor's Center for refreshments. Let's observe ALL the traditions together at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum Dec 21st in this blessed holiday - a season we'll rememberÉand Merry Christmas to one and all!

Below are photographs of arboretum employees and volunteers working with Carl Foley Tree Service hanging lights in preparation for the holidays.

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