Capitol Christmastree 2009

Capitol Christmas Tree 2009

pam — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:52:59 +0000

Arizona’s Gift From The Grand Canyon State

Arizona’s Gift from the Grand Canyon State continues to give. Although the holidays are over, the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 is still producing a tremendous and positive impact. From extensive media coverage throughout the United States to international news outlets, the iconic Christmas tree harvested in Arizona made news. The Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 gained extensive exposure through national news organizations including NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, FOX and C-SPAN. Daily newspapers throughout North America covered tree events and the lighting ceremony. Home and Garden Television featured the tree from Arizona in a prime time holiday special and we even garnered global coverage in China, Taiwan, Europe, Russia and Mexico. MediaWatch, tracked media attention for the year-long project and has documented print and broadcast value exceeding $2.1 million. Editorial features continue to be published about Arizona’s Gift which will push this dollar amount even higher.

The Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 was not only the first time Arizona has participated in providing the tree for the United States Capitol, it was a statewide celebration. In 10 days, the tree visited 28 Arizona communities. Thousands of our citizens came out to greet the tree, welcoming the caravan with parades, choirs, proclamations and yes, lots of Christmas cookies. The tour continued on its journey to Washington, D.C. where it was lit in a national ceremony hosted by the Speaker of the House and Arizona’s Congressional Delegation.

This project was also innovative, with a series of “firsts” that included the use of social networking. We also were the first Capitol Christmas Tree project to use bio-diesel fuel, communicate daily activities with a blog, as well as a photo gallery which posted images of each tour stop.

Without the support of our partners, generous donations and volunteers, the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 project would not have been as successful. We are grateful for your participation in this historic event and wish you the best for the new year.

Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 By The Numbers

pam — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:41:46 +0000

SPECIES: Blue spruce (Picea pungens)

HEIGHT: 85-feet at harvest, 65-feet delivered

AGE: 70 years old

WEIGHT: approximately 9,000 lbs at harvest

DIAMETER OF TRUNK AT BASE: 27 inches

WIDTH OF TREE AT BASE OF CROWN: 30-feet

HARVESTED FROM: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Alpine District

HONORARY NAME: Aldo Leopold Centennial Tree

DISTANCE TRAVELED: 4,600+ miles from Arizona to Washington, D.C.

COMPANION TREES: 80 additional trees displayed throughout Capitol Complex offices

COMPANION TREE ORNAMENTS: 4,000 handcrafted ornaments from groups throughout Arizona

CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS: 6,000 handcrafted ornaments from Arizona school children

TOUR STOPS: 28 stops in Arizona with community events in 10 days

SOCIAL MEDIA: First Capitol Christmas Tree project to use social media: Twitter and Facebook

GREEN INITIATIVE: First Capitol Christmas Tree project to use bio-fuel and a hybrid vehicle

MEDIA ATTENTION: Nielsen audience of 42 million people viewed tree coverage

MEDIA VALUE: $2.1 million in estimated media value

TV TIME: 14 hours, 28 minutes

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION: Europe, China, Taiwan, Russia, Poland and Mexico

Welcome To The Travel Blog

pam — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:00:09 +0000

Julia C. Patrick serves on the Steering Committee of the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 project. A native of Arizona, Julia is traveling with the 85-foot blue spruce tree to Washington, D.C. Her comments offer a glimpse into this historic event which culminates in the lighting of the “People’s Tree” on December 8, 2009.

December 5, 2009

pam — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:58:28 +0000

I visit the tree site just about daily to photograph the progress of the Capitol grounds crew and their work with the giant Blue spruce. With all the security around the Capitol complex, I always identify myself before approaching the heavily secured areas. Today, upon my arrival, one of the guards interrupted my introductory speech and drawled, “Yeah, I recognized you and all your Arizona turquoise jewelry. You kinda stand out in these parts.”

At first I was not sure whether to chuckle or not. However, I chose my Arizona fashion as a testament to the Grand Canyon State and this project. So I guess it has worked. I wanted to tell the Capitol guard that in Phoenix, I generally wear a suit to work each day and my cowboy boots only on the weekends. That I never owned a horse and I live in America’s 5^th largest city. While I am a child of the desert, I am certainly no hick. I bounced back from my flare of hubris and went on to the work at hand – taking pictures of the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009.

Perhaps all the time away from family has started to make me cranky!

Arizona Student Drawn To Light Capitol Christmas Tree 2009

pam — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:15:00 +0000

American families across the nation hold fond memories of decorating their own trees over the years. The Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 is no different. Schoolchildren throughout Arizona made nearly 6,000 ornaments to be placed on the iconic symbol often called “The People’s Tree.” Another 4,000 handcrafted ornaments were made to accompany the 80 companion trees places throughout the United States Capitol Complex. Students were encouraged to craft their ornaments from recycled materials and to consider the environmental impact of their finished designs.

It is tradition that one child from the tree’s state light the Capitol Christmas Tree with the Speaker of the House. Students who submitted ornaments for the outside tree were invited to submit a drawing form along with their ornament. The Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 student winner is Kaitlyn Ferencik from Surprise, Arizona. A seventh grade student at Canyon Ridge School, Kaitlyn will travel to Washington, D.C. with her parents Erika and Troy Ferencik and her teacher Natalie Moore.

December 2, 2009

pam — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:56:56 +0000

Our crew has taken the trucks and headed back West. Only Rick Davalos, Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator and Jim Payne, the Public Affairs Officer and I remain. We have office work to do, including media outreach and the various tasks associated with getting the ceremony of the tree lighting completed. We have changed into our office clothes – saying goodbye to the Forest Service uniforms and for me – my Levi’s. It is Belt Way professional now.

The three of us have been working on our own projects for most of the days now. We rejoin at night for a dinner where we recap our activities and plan for the next day. So far we have ventured into Chinatown for fabulous noodle soup, Italian seafood and even an Ethiopian meal that was tremendous. Washington, D.C. is a city of the world and we are taking advantage of the cultures that have come to the Capitol.

I miss our tour team so much. The work now is not as fun as it was when we were on tour. The hours are a lot less intense and we have fallen into a new pattern which is much more mental and somehow more exhausting.

November 30, 2009

pam — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:55:09 +0000

We officially delivered the People’s Tree to the United States Congress today. Our morning began at about 3:00 am, or at least it was supposed to! For some reason, my handy travel alarm rebelled at the thought of another early wake-up call and did not go off. I was roused by Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator, Rick Davalos with a phone call wondering where I was. Horrified by the thought of being left behind, I threw my things into my duffle bag and bolted out the door in the dark of night. Our caravan was lined up, their exhausts belching out puffs of white in the frigid morning air as I jumped into the truck that has been my chariot for the past 4,600 miles. Maryland State Police escorts with their flashing lights led us through meandering streets and into the hands of Capitol Police where were taken up to the West lawn of the Capitol.

As dawn bloomed we began the arduous task of preparing the giant Christmas tree for delivery. Cold wind blew throughout the morning with rain threatening us along the way. I was amazed by the number of folks who strolled past our parked caravan to inquire about the tree. One woman stopped to chat had ties to Arizona with family as well as a D.C. neighbor who was actually from Alpine, the tiny White Mountain community where the tree came from!

November 28, 2009

pam — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:51:48 +0000

A critical part of this project has been law enforcement. From the security of the actual tree to the safely escorting two giant semi-trucks, a variety of additional Forest Service vehicles and a hybrid Prius, this is a daunting task. Our LEO – Law Enforcement Officer – is Chad Scussle. This second-generation Forest Service member has been the mighty force keeping us safe, on track and moving in the right direction. A young man, with a passion for his trade, Chad has left his wife and two small babies at home in Snowflake, Arizona for the grinding duration of this expedition.

I have never spent any amount of time around law enforcement professionals and this new friendship has become one of my fascinations. Chad has given me tremendous insight into the process of law enforcement, complete with humor and amazing compassion. He along, with the other members of this intrepid team, has instilled a great degree of pride and confidence in the process and stewardship of the Forest Service. Jason Mangum has nicknamed Chad “The Bulldog” and it seems perfectly fitting.

November 26, 2009

pam — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:01:41 +0000

Thanksgiving has always been my most treasured day of the year. Today we are in Roanoke, Virginia with blustery weather and Christmas just around the corner. It was November 3^rd when I left my home and family to embark upon this once in a lifetime journey. I will not return until about December 12^th. When I left Phoenix it was still hot and the holidays seemed like a million miles away. Cooler weather, let alone gloves and a wool coat seemed like a fashion folly. Now, I find myself chilled to the bone on a daily basis.

I have never been away from my child and husband for such an extended time, nor have most of my traveling companions. However, we are a merry lot and crafted a family of our own, complete with patience for each other’s annoying habits. Of course, as with any family we have our running jokes, enjoy poking fun at each other and are now starting to complete each other’s sentences. I tag-team dinner with my new best friend Jason Mangum the City of Show Low Parks and Recreation Director. He is the perfect foil for sharing a dessert after a hearty meal.

A big bear of a man, always quick with a smile, Jason is quick witted, completely fun and lives in the moment. He has reminded me the value of searching for the joy in every moment.

November 24, 2009

pam — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:03:18 +0000

James W. Payne is my brother in crime. As the Forest Service PIO – that’s Public Information Officer for us outside the agency – he is the go to guy for media. He is a tall, handsome man who has grown a full white beard in the spirit of the season. Jim is also retiring this year and our journey of the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 has become one giant farewell event. Forest Service staff, active and retired, have visited our event stops along the way to bid him adieu. It has been a marvelous thing to witness.

Jim has been able to manage the flurry of media activity that swirls around the tree. He is adept at gathering media outlets to our event sites and making each newspaper, magazine, radio and television station feel as though they are getting the best “scoop” of the day. He is never without his phone, laptop and notebook – always furiously working on behalf of this project. I have enjoyed working with him and learning how the Forest Service communicates with the media.