CUMBERLAND — A special, but unusual, delivery was made to the downtown mall yesterday in preparation of the upcoming holiday season on Wednesday.
City employees delivered a blue spruce tree, donated by Jim and Dolores Ortiz, of Montgomery Avenue, Cumberland. Their tree will be the main attraction for the annual Downtown Cumberland Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas Music Show, scheduled for Nov. 25.
The approximately 40-foot blue spruce was planted by the couple 20 years ago. The couple has lived on Montgomery Avenue for 40 years.
The tree they donated is the second blue spruce they have had in their front yard: the previous tree was knocked over by a windstorm 20 years ago.
“I was afraid that the same thing could happen to this one if we didn’t do something about it,” Jim Ortiz said.
“I would rather see the tree cut down and donated than to see it blown over and damaged.”
Knowing the city tree is annually donated by area residents, Ortiz contacted Downtown Manager Ed Mullaney to see if their tree would make a suitable city Christmas tree.
According to Diane Johnson, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the tree must meet a specific size requirement and be located in a place easily accessible by city employees for the removal and transportation process.
“It depends on the location, if there are electric lines, or other obstructions that would make the cutting of the tree difficult,” she said.
The Ortiz’s tree met all the specifications and the city began plans to cut the tree down and transport it to the downtown mall.
Right until the first cut was made, Dolores Ortiz said she had some reservations about the decision, but in the end she was pleased that she and her husband decided to donate the tree.
“I told them I changed my mind, but they came anyway,” she admitted with a laugh. “But, I made them promise to get the spot all cleaned up because we are planting a new tree in the same place right away.”
The Ortizes said they are looking forward to seeing their tree decorated with lights and ornaments. They plan to arrive at the downtown mall as part of the annual Salvation Army Candlelight Walk.
Jim Ortiz is a board member of the Salvation Army and helped start the tradition 15 years ago.
“This is for the kids and I can’t wait to see their excitement when they light up the tree,” Dolores Ortiz said.
The Downtown Cumberland Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas Music Show will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 25. The tree lighting, hosted by Mayor Brian Grim and the Cumberland City Council, will be held at 7 p.m.
Contact Angie Brant at abrant@times-news.com.
Local News
Related Photos
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City employees work to cut down a blue spruce tree from Jim and Dolores Ortiz’s property on Montgomery Avenue on Wednesday. The tree, which is about 20 years old, has been donated by the couple to serve as the city’s Christmas tree, which will be lit during the Downtown Cumberland Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas Music Show scheduled for Nov. 25. Angie Brant
City couple donates Christmas tree
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