The wonderful women of Soroptimist International continue their longstanding tradition of decorating a Christmas tree at the Courthouse Museum. Nearly 90 community trees are on display inside the historical building. The Open House is Dec. 1.
Mary Krebs decorates the Country Comfort tree way back on December 7, 1985.
The ‘Fabulously Fonnie’ is now on display.
Members of the American Association of University Women decorate their Christmas tree at the Courthouse.
St. Patrick Asian Association members along with Museum Director Sarah Lim.
By SARAH LIM
Special to the Times
Drum rolls, please. The results are in: The prize for the tallest Christmas tree is tied between the Sheriff Posse and the Courthouse Museum, the smallest Christmas tree goes to the Merced County Times, bragging rights for the longest decorating history is shared by Soroptimist International of Merced and Merced Garden Club, and the newest exhibitor is Milano Technical Group.
With over 87 trees “competing” for these titles, there is no shortage of “contestants” in this year’s Christmas tree display at the Courthouse Museum. Marking the 40th anniversary of Christmas at the Courthouse, this year’s exhibit, opening on Dec. 1, is more than five times bigger than it was in the first year and more enchanted than ever.
The Merced County Historical Society started this annual tradition in 1985 because they believed that the Museum is the people’s house and should be decorated and enjoyed by members of the community. The former Museum Director Catherine Julien and museum volunteer Carol Dean Batey were instrumental in organizing this exhibition.
In 1985, Carol Dean Batey came before the board of directors to seek approval for a Christmas Extravaganza in December. With the support of the board, Carol Dean, Dana Maroni, John Blair, Margaret Smith, Margaret Quici, and Director Julien got to work immediately. They invited local organizations, companies, and individuals to participate in the display to bring visitors to the Museum while promoting the exhibitors’ causes or businesses.
Fifteen groups signed up for the display, including Merced SPCA, the Senior Citizens’ Center, Le Grand Garden Club, Merced Genealogy Society, Country Comfort, Asian Art Enterprise, California Women for Agriculture, Merced Garden Club, Soroptimists, and Ada Givens School Mrs. Myers 5th Grade Class.
Instead of the traditional Christmas ornaments like glass balls, stars, angels, and Santas, the unique theme-based ornaments made all 15 trees one-of-a-kind. The CWA replaced glass balls with cotton balls and a star topper with a stalk of corn. The Merced Genealogical Society hung photos of their ancestors while Asian Art Enterprises featured the needlework ornaments of Hmong Paj Ntaub artists.
At the Open House on December 8, more than 400 visitors came, many visiting the Museum for the first time. The free event was enhanced by live music from The Tabernacle Choir, the Le Grand High School Chorus, Vern Taylor and the Senior Citizen’s Kitchen Band, and the Muratore Family. “Christmas at the Courthouse” was so successful that it became an annual event.
Fast forward to 2024, what’s in store for you this year? We have a forest waiting for you with many pretty ornaments, creative designs, and a variety of themes. For those nostalgic for a classic Christmas tree, check out Maude’s “12 Days of Christmas” tree, the “Victorian” tree by Courthouse Museum volunteers, and The Hampshire’s “Santa’s Christmas.”
For visitors looking for fun themes, we have CIWP’s “Super Marios Brothers” tree, MCOE Special Ed.’s “Dia de Los Muertos” upside-down tree, and Milano Technical Group’s Robotic-themed tree.
Education has always been a big part of this exhibition. There is CAL RTA’s “Teaching” tree, University Friends Circle’s “Supporting Students at UC Merced” tree, Merced College’s “Geology and Anthropology” tree, and the trees decorated by Fremont TK/K and 1st/2nd Grade students. Several other trees show off school colors and spirits, including St. Anthony’s School’s “A Knight Christmas” tree. Finally, the Friends of Merced County and Atwater Libraries use their displays to promote literacy and the love of reading.
Nature is another popular subject. Atwater Garden Club has a beautiful wilderness display, and Grassland Environment Ed Center’s tree is full of wildlife.
While the naturalists are making a statement about conservation, the artists, too, are taking this opportunity to promote their organizations and causes. So be sure to check out AAUW’s “Needle Arts” tree, Boots n’ Slippers’ “Square Dance” tree, El Capitan High School Art Club’s “Art Tree,” Merced Shakes’ “Shakespeare Theater” tree, and Weaver Middle School Art Dept.’s “Fire and Ice” tree.
Popular movies also made the cut this year, from Girl Scout Tioga’s Shrek tree to Fabulously Fonnie’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s tree. Beloved Christmas stories such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Willy Wonka are also on display.
Interestingly, this year, we have “Home for the Holidays” trees by Select Property Management and by New Beginnings. If you don’t know what to give this year, how about giving a rescued cat a new home? New Beginnings will be happy to assist you.
In addition, there are trees celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion, commemorating milestones, expressing patriotism, promoting local businesses, and showcasing our agricultural industries.
Please join us on Sunday, December 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. for our 40th Annual Christmas Open House at the Courthouse Museum. At the open house, we will serve treats and traditional Courthouse eggnog.
Live entertainment will be performed by the following groups starting at 1 p.m.: Central Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir, Our Lady of Mercy School Christmas Choir, Maxwell Norton and Friends, Merced Baroque Sinfonia, St. Paul School Choir, and the Bear Creek Ukulele Society.
The event is free, and the Courthouse Museum is located at 21st and N Streets, Merced. The Christmas tree exhibit will run through December 30.
Teachers are reminded that the Museum will be open Monday through Friday mornings throughout December for walk-through tours. This is a wonderful way to introduce your class to the Museum. Call the Museum office at (209) 723-2401. Please support the Museum by shopping at our store for holiday gifts. Don’t forget to visit our current exhibits, “Painting Merced County: Landmarks Immortalized by Artists” and “Merced Speaks: Language Diversity Past and Present.”
Sarah Lim is the executive director of the Merced County Courthouse Museum.