WaKeeney rallies around tree
By KALEY CONNER
WAKEENEY -- Putting up the tree every year always gets Darrell Hladek in the Christmas spirit. But standing 35 feet tall and covered with 6,000 red and green lights, it's no ordinary tree.
Hladek has been helping to construct WaKeeney's giant downtown Christmas tree for 27 years.
"It's something we always look forward to," he said.
Building the tree Tuesday morning was a team effort. Employees with the city of WaKeeney, the Kansas Department of Transportation and area utility and telephone companies congregated in the heart of downtown for what has become a traditional construction project.
Hladek now is employed with KDOT but also helped put up the tree during 20 years of employment with the city, he said.
"We all work together," he said. "We've got to get it up in a day."
The town's 59th annual Christmas tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The event usually draws a large crowd, and WaKeeney's "Christmas City of the High Plains" motto is something the community takes pride in, said Mitch Klein, a Rural Telephone employee who has helped build the tree for 12 years.
The tree is constructed of fresh pine garlands, made by local volunteers.
"They have a community event to put the greenery together, to put the greenery onto the branches," Klein said. "It's a whole big community event."
Klein was working on the "ground crew," handing the large branches up to another crew member, who was hoisted to the top of the tree on a utility truck's bucket seat.
Morning temperatures dipped below 40 degrees, but that didn't seem to slow the work.
"This ain't bad. It's been worse," Klein said. "This is actually a pretty good day."
Nonetheless, workers were treated to a brief reprieve at Trego WaKeeney State Bank, which has made it a habit to invite the work force in for a hot cup of coffee and a morning snack, said Richard Jensen, bank president.
"They do a great job," Jensen said. "It's amazing to see the different companies come together."
Saturday's schedule
of events:
* 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Ninth annual Christmas Bazaar, Trego County fairgrounds
* 5 p.m.: Soup supper at the senior center, 413 Russell Ave.
* 6 p.m.: Christmas tree lighting ceremony
* 6:15 to 8 p.m.: Santa Claus moves to North Pole Park
For more information, contact WaKeeney Travel and Tourism at (877) 962-7248.