MONROE - When someone said to Steve Streiff and John Wegmueller almost 10 years ago, "Can't you get a little bigger of a tree?" they came back with a tree almost reaching the ceiling of Turner Hall's Grand Hall.
The two went to Stan Oxenreider's tree farm near Browntown to find the perfect tree for the Tree Lighting at Turner Hall. For the last nine years, Oxenreider has donated a tree to Turner Hall for the annual tradition. He operated a tree farm for about 15 years but has since retired.
Streiff continues the tree hunting after Wegmueller died almost four years ago. About six people showed up Thursday to help Streiff cut this year's tree from Oxenreider's farm and load it onto a trailer. There to help him was Ernie Halbheer, who has assisted almost every year.
"We used to go by foot and use a hand saw," Halbheer said.
Now, Streiff brings an ATV and a chainsaw. He drove into the woods and walked around, looking for the right tree - determined first by fullness, then by height.
Also there to help were first-timers Kelly and Steve Hermanson of Blanchardville.
"It was interesting," said Steve Hermanson, who volunteered to help because Kelly is part of the Monroe Swiss Singers. "You really have to do some engineering on the fly."
The task didn't get accomplished without a few obstacles and major teamwork. Streiff had to saw off some of the tree just to load it onto the trailer, and then again before entering Turner Hall because of its massive size.
"We learned a lot today," Streiff said.
Once the tree made a successful journey to Turner Hall, getting it through the standard-size doorway seemed like it may be an impossible task. But with four more volunteers helping, they were able to drag the tree through the doorway, up a flight of stairs and into the Grand Hall, losing only some minor branches along the way.
The entire process took almost four hours. Streiff said it wasn't the biggest tree they've brought in, but with it standing just a few inches below the ceiling, it might be the tallest at about 18 feet.
"It was an adventure," Kelly said.
Streiff said the boughs were well-spaced and would work particularly well for the candle lighting. Streiff said it's all about the end result when people come in from the parade and see the tree.
One hundred candles will be lit on the tree at 7 p.m. today at Turner Hall. After the candles are lit, Christmas carols will be sung.
The two went to Stan Oxenreider's tree farm near Browntown to find the perfect tree for the Tree Lighting at Turner Hall. For the last nine years, Oxenreider has donated a tree to Turner Hall for the annual tradition. He operated a tree farm for about 15 years but has since retired.
Streiff continues the tree hunting after Wegmueller died almost four years ago. About six people showed up Thursday to help Streiff cut this year's tree from Oxenreider's farm and load it onto a trailer. There to help him was Ernie Halbheer, who has assisted almost every year.
"We used to go by foot and use a hand saw," Halbheer said.
Now, Streiff brings an ATV and a chainsaw. He drove into the woods and walked around, looking for the right tree - determined first by fullness, then by height.
Also there to help were first-timers Kelly and Steve Hermanson of Blanchardville.
"It was interesting," said Steve Hermanson, who volunteered to help because Kelly is part of the Monroe Swiss Singers. "You really have to do some engineering on the fly."
The task didn't get accomplished without a few obstacles and major teamwork. Streiff had to saw off some of the tree just to load it onto the trailer, and then again before entering Turner Hall because of its massive size.
"We learned a lot today," Streiff said.
Once the tree made a successful journey to Turner Hall, getting it through the standard-size doorway seemed like it may be an impossible task. But with four more volunteers helping, they were able to drag the tree through the doorway, up a flight of stairs and into the Grand Hall, losing only some minor branches along the way.
The entire process took almost four hours. Streiff said it wasn't the biggest tree they've brought in, but with it standing just a few inches below the ceiling, it might be the tallest at about 18 feet.
"It was an adventure," Kelly said.
Streiff said the boughs were well-spaced and would work particularly well for the candle lighting. Streiff said it's all about the end result when people come in from the parade and see the tree.
One hundred candles will be lit on the tree at 7 p.m. today at Turner Hall. After the candles are lit, Christmas carols will be sung.