Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2006
Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association Presents Several Awards at Winter Meeting
HARRISBURG, PA- The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA) presented several awards during their annual winter meeting recently held at the Holiday Inn-Grantville on January 19th and 20th. Awards were given for the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion trees from the PA Farm Show, as well as the winter meeting wreath contest winners.
The Grand Champion was chosen as winner at the 2006 Farm Show where the public gets to vote on their favorite tree, after selections are made by professional judges. It has been a popular activity for visitors since the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers initiated the practice in 1997. McClellan's Tree Farm owned by Richard and Mary McClellan in Middleburg, PA (Snyder County) exhibited the Grand Champion, a Concolor Fir. The Reserve Grand Champion, a white pine, was awarded to Heritage Acres owned by the Campbell family in Bloomsburg, PA (Columbia County).
Lew Bowser of CTE Manufacturing in Lititz, PA took first place in the 2006 wreath competition in the category of undecorated wreath. Bowser and his wife, Jackie, are long-time members of PCTGA. Second place in the undecorated wreath contest went to Patricia St. Clair-Wertman of Jarrettsville Nurseries in Jarrettsvile, Maryland.
In the decorated category of the wreath competition, Sally Heylmun of Heylmun’s Pine Hill Farm in Pottstown, PA received first place. St. Clair-Wertman took second place, while Ann Regina of Regina Farms in East Stroudsburg, PA placed third.
Each wreath entered in the competition was made from natural greens grown within the state. Wreaths were judged by the membership on foliage, color, and workmanship (including uniform density, uniform center hold, uniform outside, construction quality, placement of materials and overall appearance). All wreaths are made by current PCTGA members or on a member farm.
The 2006 PCTGA Summer Meeting will be held on August 11 and 12, 2006 at Elizabeth Farms in Lititz, PA. The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA), with over 300 members, works to promote and develop a community of interest among growers of Christmas trees in Pennsylvania and adjoining states, as well as to raise public awareness about Christmas trees. Pennsylvania has the largest number of Christmas tree growers of any state and is ranked fourth nationally in Christmas tree production according to USDA. To find a Christmas tree grower near you, and for more information from the Pennsylvania Christmas tree association, visit www.christmastrees.org.
The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, with over 400 members, works to promote and develop a community of interest among growers of Christmas trees in Pennsylvania and adjoining states, as well as to raise public awareness about Christmas trees.
Bethany Dennis, (717) 238-9765, communications@christmastrees.org