Holiday tree sales at HVRHS have started

FALLS VILLAGE — At 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, five students stood on top of about 600 trees, waiting for the signal to start unloading.

The students, part of the agricultural education program at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, tugged on gloves and began handing down the 12-foot balsam trees.

“Butt first!” yelled teacher Mark Burdick. “And I don’t mean your butt!”

The trees (from New Hampshire and Vermont) will be on sale in the FFA holiday store at the high school; it opens for business on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Hours are 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. every day until Dec. 23.

Teacher Karen Davenport said the students are trying to find sources closer to home for bigger trees.

The boys handed the trees down — some were handed a little faster than others — and the trees were brought over to freestanding racks.

Burdick kept an eye on this activity, reminding the students to stack from the back.

“I don’t think they realize just how many trees we have here.”

The students run everything in the FFA store, and they will grade the trees according to industry standards and price them accordingly, in the $25 to $60 range.

The FFA’s goal this year is $60,000 in sales. Last year they took in about $57,000.

The students will also sell wreaths, poinsettias, roping, kissing balls, garlands, potted plants, floral centerpieces and Cabot cheese. The first community production night of the season is Thursday, Dec. 4, at the high school, 7 p.m., with a second on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Community members are invited to come help tie greens together to make wreaths and roping. Come learn how to do it from experienced masters of the craft. The work is done in the agricultural education wing of the school, on Warren Turnpike.  Bring gloves and wear clothes that can get covered with pine sap. 

Click here for another photo.

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