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New Christmas tree de-lightful

New Christmas tree de-lightful

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Hundreds of people flocked to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s parking lot for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1. In previous years, the tree has been a tree-shaped strand of lights that was erected in the chamber parking lot, but this year there were big changes.

When The Sun spoke to chamber President Terri Kinder at last year’s ceremony, she said it was the chamber’s goal to get an actual tree for 2023 and they accomplished exactly that. The only caveat for this year was the tree needed to be anchored to the ground, so it couldn’t be in the chamber parking lot.

New Christmas tree de-lightful
A new tree was provided to the AMI Chamber of Commerce by an anonymous donor and placed at Hancock Whitney Bank across the street from the chamber office in Holmes Beach. The tree was lit at the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

“Big changes this year; we’re very excited about this,” Kinder said. “An anonymous donor donated that beautiful tree to the City of Holmes Beach. It’s 24 feet tall and needs to be staked, so we decided Hancock Whitney Bank across the street was the best place for it to be. Holmes Beach did a fantastic job putting this tree up and putting it together, and Hancock Whitney Bank has an amazing partnership with the city and the chamber. We’re just so excited.”

Kinder told The Sun in 2022 that they would have to do a significant amount of fundraising to upgrade the previous tree, but thanks to the anonymous donation, the chamber didn’t have to spend any money. City staff erected the artificial tree and Hancock Whitney Bank is providing the electricity to illuminate it. According to Kinder, this was the largest attendance for a tree lighting thus far, with hundreds of people attending, enjoying food and drinks, and mingling with friends and newly met friends from the Island community.

“It just keeps getting bigger every year,” Kinder said moments before the tree was lit. “I’m excited to see everybody’s reception because I think they’re going to be thrilled with this new tree.”

New Christmas tree de-lightful
A large crowd gathered at the AMI Chamber of Commerce parking lot for the annual Holmes Beach Tree Lighting festivities, Dec. 1. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

In addition to the tree, the Anna Maria Island Privateers were on hand with their sleigh and a special visit from Santa Claus, who met with children of all ages wishing to get their Christmas lists in his ear before the big day. Leading up to the lighting of the tree, CrossPointe Fellowship entertained the crowd with live music, singing holiday favorites with the backing of a full band. It may not have been cold, or even cool, but the Island showed its Christmas spirit, snow or not.

Holmes Beach tree lighting group

Holmes Beach Christmas tree glows

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – It was a festive evening Dec. 18 as the lights on the new city Christmas tree lit up the evening sky for the first time.

The short ceremony was attended by more than a dozen people, including Mayor Judy Titsworth, Commissioners Jim Kihm and Carol Soustek, parks and beautification chair Zan Fuller and Dennis and Carole Groh, who donated the 10-year-old tree to the city. Refreshments for the event were donated by Scott’s Deli.

With the tree planted at city field near Holmes Beach City Hall, residents and visitors alike can watch as the blue cypress grows a foot or more each year. The blue cypress was donated to the city by the Grohs, who raised the towering tree from a sapling at their Holmes Beach home. This year, the tree is decorated with strands of white lights and a sparkling gold star topper.

Holmes Beach tree lighting
Frosty the Snowman guards the Holmes Beach city Christmas tree after the lighting of the blue cypress tree Dec. 18 at Holmes Beach city field. – Kristin Swain | Sun

After the lack of a city Christmas tree was brought up at a Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification meeting, Soustek contacted Groh to see what kind of tree would be appropriate to plant. Groh said he invited her over to his home to view the tree in his backyard and the visit ended with the tree being relocated to city field. Groh said the tree was planted on a raised berm to allow the roots to burrow into their new location without being subjected to flooding. With the careful relocation of the tree and care that it’s received from public works employees, Groh said it has an 80 percent chance of survival barring any natural disaster, such as a hurricane. The tree must remain staked for a year to allow the roots time to become established.

When it was planted, the tree was a matter of some concern to Titsworth and city engineer Lynn Burnett, who has been tasked with remodeling the city field complex.

The tree was planted during the transition period after the election and did not receive proper approval from city commissioners. Commissioners later voted to have the tree lighting but have not formally agreed to keep the tree in its current location. If moved, Groh said the tree would not be able to withstand the shock and would die.

During the December parks and beautification meeting, Titsworth committed to trying to work with the current location of the tree, near the pavilion at city field, though she said future plans would need to go through appropriate channels to be approved.

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