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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Holiday Tree of Lights moves to park
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — The tree that Compass Memorial Healthcare Foundation lit every holiday season to honor loved ones no longer exists.
Construction at the hospital necessitated removal of the tree, but the lights will continue to shine.
In an agreement with the City of Marengo, the Foundation will string its memorial lights on a tree on the southeast corner of Marengo City Park this year.
The tree lighting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.
The Holiday Tree of Lights has raised money for the Foundation for 19 years, said Mary Warwick, director of Compass Memorial Healthcare Foundation. People buy lights for $10 each — blue to honor a loved one and white in memory of a loved one.
The honor is not limited to Iowa County residents. Anyone, anywhere can buy a light for the tree, said Warwick. “Our mailing list is huge for this.”
During the lighting of the tree, the Foundation reads the names of all the people remembered by the lights. The names are printed in a program given to everyone who attends the lighting.
Compass Memorial Chief Executive Officer Barry Goettsch welcomes the community to the tree lighting, a prayer is offered and someone reads the history of Christmas tree lights before the reading of the names. A moment of silence follows.
“Last year we had 198 names [in memory],” Warwick said. The Foundation was on track, prior to Friday’s deadline, to have just as many lights this year.
Another 20 were names were listed “in honor of” in 2023.
The tree lighting usually includes special music and the singing of “Silent Night,” said Warwick.
The Foundation tries to find a different group to perform each year. Iowa Valley students have performed the song in the past, and last year a group from Williamsburg sang.
The tree will be lighted through Christmas.
Caroling
In December, Compass Memorial employees go caroling in each of the five communities in which the hospital has a clinic.
The staff rides around the streets on a wagon playing Christmas music. Goettsch wears a Santa suit and hands out toys and treats to children who come out to greet the “sleigh.”
Pet Smart and Kay’s Jewelers in Coralville are donating gifts this year, said Warwick.
The carolers spend about two hours in each town and give away nearly 500 toys. Routes are not planned.
“People will know we’re out that night, and they’ll come out and find us,” said Warwick. “We’re not great singers, but we like to find kids.”
Children can watch for Santa and the carolers in Amana Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Victor Wednesday, Dec. 11 and in Marengo Thursday, Dec. 12. Santa and the carolers will be in North English Wednesday, Dec. 18 and in Williamsburg Thursday, Dec. 19.
Caroling begins at 5:30 p.m. each night.
