Public Works crew member John Terebecki removes lights from atop Clarkesville’s Christmas tree.
It’s beginning to look a lot like…Christmas is over. A public works crew took down the tree lights in Clarkesville on Tuesday. Russell Skinner and John Terebecki had the daunting task of unraveling more than 2,000 bulbs from the 20-foot Norway Spruce that grows near the downtown gazebo. They say the other lights on the Square will stay up through March.
It took Skinner, Terebecki and another co-worker two weeks to light up Clarkesville for Christmas. More than 3,000 linear feet of lights were used on the downtown square and that doesn’t include the lights on the tree and gazebo. All told, approximately 6,000 bulbs burned bright during the holidays.
Skinner credits Clarkesville City Manager Barbara Kesler with suggesting improvements to the lighting this year. Crews took a crash course on wrapping the lights. “We found a picture on the internet and went with it,” Skinner says. The improvements were obvious; the lights were gorgeous! There were more of them, tree limbs were wrapped and there was one other big difference, “We went with LED,” Skinner says, “Everything’s LED so we’re saving energy. We’re trying to go green.”
Downtown Clarkesville was white – and green – as the lights cast a soothing glow on holiday events in December. People commented on how lovely the town looked and that, says the crew, makes their hard work worthwhile. “It’s just nice to hear that everybody liked the tree,” Terebecki says, “I was proud of it.” Skinner adds, “It gives you a good sense of pride in our town, in our community.”
Discussions have been held about leaving up the lights on the Clarkesville Square year ’round. Some concerns have been raised about whether that’s good for the trees they adorn, so, that may not happen. Still, you can enjoy them through at least early spring and again this Christmas when more lights may be added. Skinner says plans are in the works to add more lights in a different location. “Stay tuned,” he says with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Hmmm…sounds a lot like someone I know.
Santa would be proud.
