MCC groups take on tree-mendous task

Christmas Trees

Three holiday trees sparkling with an MCC touch brightly shine at the 52nd Annual Trees of Christmas at Greek Revival Merrehope and Victorian F.W. Williams historic homes.

At the annual event, guests tour the houses to see some 30 trees decorated incorporating the theme, “Making Merre With Our Neighbors.”

When the MCC groups of the Eagle’s Nest Bookstore, Continuing Education and the Phil Hardin Foundation Honors College at Meridian Community College were approached to take on this project, they knew it was a must-do.

“We thought this was a great way to support our community and get involved,” said Cher Warren, bookstore manager. “We want to make a positive impact on those we meet, and this is a festive way to meet new people and share more about MCC,” she added.

Honors College co-adviser Morgan Boothe said participating in the tour was also a way to show that Honors College is a part of MCC, Meridian and the surrounding area.

Laureta Chislom, community and business development coordinator for lifelong learning, agreed. “This is an amazing opportunity to give back to the community and display some of the creativity and talents of MCC employees.”

The MCC creative spirit shines as much as the lights on the trees. The Bookstore’s Elfin’ Around has traditional Christmas colors and decorations - and stuffed elf legs sticking out from the tree’s branches. The decoration's lighthearted look helps to share a message. “Everyone needs to take some time to have fun and relax and enjoy family and friends, especially during the Christmas holidays,” Warren said. 

When Continuing Education folks discovered they were issued a 12-foot tree, they were taken aback; it was the largest size any of them had decorated. “We were fascinated by its grandeur,” Chislom said. With the theme of Let It Snow, the tree is blanketed with silver and white ornaments. “It represents the beautiful snow we would love to have for Christmas,” Chislom said.

With teamwork making the Christmas tree decorating effort work, the Honors College students divided the tasks. “We had a group of students who planned our tree, a group who shopped for decorations, a group who decorated, and we even have a group dedicated to taking the decorations down in January,” Boothe said.

The tree is named The Highest Honor Tree and decorated in gold and white, symbolizing the gold and white cords given to students upon graduating with highest honors and honors, said Boothe. “Our tree features gold ornaments with each student’s name written on them, white ornaments, green and white graduation tassels, and a graduation cap as a tree topper,” she described.

Plus, there is a photo of the Honors College students, a sign with the tree’s name and a tree skirt that sports the Honors College logo.

The tree tours are Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. Tickets are $10, adults; $5, students. The homes are located at 905 Martin Luther King Memorial Drive, Meridian.