Trees sport quirky motifs

By Sandy Marwick Eagle Focus Editor

December 23, 2006 Last Updated: December 23, 2006 12:05 PM Community

Linda LaVogue of Harmony has an interest in nature — so her Christmas tree has a bird theme, using quite a few cardinals, a bird associated with Christmas.

Hobbies help define the decor

BRADY TWP — Each year, Michele Rasely constructs a colorful garden.

But instead of planting crops in spring, Rasely erects trees — 17 to be exact — throughout her home in December.

"It doesn't seem like Christmas unless you have them throughout the house," Rasely said of the assorted Christmas trees, placed over nearly 6,000 square feet of living space.

"I even have one in my van," she laughed, describing a miniature tree whose blinking lights are powered by the lighter.

Each unique in its decor, many of the trees reflect the personalities of Rasely and her family.

A patriotic tree in the living room is filled with red, white and blue ornaments.Playing cards and dice define a casino tree downstairs.A Victorian tree contains shoes, chandeliers and antique dress forms — a testament to Rasely's work as a seamstress.A railroad component points to Rasely's husband, Jim."It's too hard to decide how to do a tree," she said, citing various hobbies, interests and ornament types adopted over the years.Although a large family room tree is dedicated to ornaments made and collected by her children, Rasely said her theme Christmas trees preceded the births of Allysa, 17; Lacey, 14; and Cassie, 13.Rasely said her first theme tree, called Christmas in Love, was purchased 21 years ago from Sears.Originally predecorated with hearts, doves and lights, Rasely now uses that tree for a winter theme. Snow is sprayed on the green branches and ornaments include snowmen, snowflakes, icicles, mittens and shovels.Since one tree is left standing year-round and decorated according to month, many of the winter ornaments are transferred to the permanent tree for January.The year-round tree in the upstairs hall also serves as a light for the Raselys and their children, one of whom is sight-imparied.Despite her growing Christmas forest, Rasely said costs and maintenance are less troublesome than one might imagine.Trees are often received as gifts, and Rasely takes advantage of thrift store bargains and off-season sales to round out her ornament collection."Every time we go to a store, the first place she goes is where the trees are set up and decorated," said her husband, Jim."She's already talking about what she wants to do next year," he added.With so many tree setups under her belt, Rasely said assembling each one takes 20 to 30 minutes — with family members helping to transfer trees and decorations to and from their place in the attic.Luckily, Rasely noted, storage is not a problem."It's a big attic," she said.

On a farm in Forward Township, Laurye Feller's livestock has also made its mark on Christmas.As owner of Sunset Hills Alpaca Farm, Feller decorates her tree at the farm with items related to her alpacas.Instead of garland, shorn fleece is wrapped in delicate clumps around the tree."The fiber is crimped, and so the bundles of fiber will stay together," she said.Blue-and-white ceramic alpacas, along with alpaca dough ornaments, also adorn the tree, which is topped with a teddy bear made with alpaca pelts from Peru.Wendell August alpaca ornaments are often present on the tree; however, this season those ornaments had all been taken off the tree and sold in the farm's gift shop.Although Feller typically spends her holiday in Florida, she doesn't leave her alpacas behind."We have stained-glass alpaca ornaments on the Florida tree," she said."We've kind of carried the theme (with us)."

An interest in nature, not to mention a neighborhood blue jay named Squeaky, have inspired Linda LaVogue to adopt a birding Christmas theme."I've been a bird watcher for probably the last eight years," LaVogue said.Her bird trees began five years ago. To implement the theme, LaVogue uses pine cones, nests, feathered birds, wooden birds and ribbon with a birdhouse motif.In the past LaVogue has used feathers on her tree, and this year began using German glass bird ornaments offered in L.S. LaVogue Gifts, which she operates in her home.Since moving to Harmony in March, LaVogue has made friends with Squeaky the blue jay, which was rehabilitated by a neighbor six years ago.Partially tamed by the rehab, the bird now visits a select group of neighbors, LaVogue included."I have fallen in love with this bird," she said, explaining she hopes to find an ornament resembling Squeaky."I have come across birds that were blue, but they weren't blue jays. So I have to keep looking."

Karen Murphy of Zelienople looks beyond her own backyard for the ornaments on her holiday tree.Her former work as a teacher and longtime travel agent have provided Murphy the chance to cultivate an ecclectic, international tree."I have a crab shell from the Carolinas. I have a stingray from the Caribbean and a totem pole from Alaska," she said, mentioning a glass ornament acquired in China.While ornaments are readily available in some locales, Murphy said she must look with a creative eye in others."In some places it's easy to find," she said. "(But) sometimes I buy a key chain and convert that into an ornament."Although Murphy did not set out to produce an international tree, traveling at least once a year eventually led to enough ornaments for the additional tree with a theme, she said.

Although Rose May Benninger trims a traditional tree each year, a second tree in her Oakland Township home speaks specifically to her husband.The tree is home to deer, bear, geese and red plaid outerwear once commonly worn by outdoorsmen.Benninger's daughter, Sherry Lehnerd of Meridian, customized a strand of lights by placing each one in the casing of a shotgun shell."I have a Santa Claus dressed with an orange outfit holding deer antlers," Benninger said.The tree's most talked-about ornament, however, is a pair of binoculars that bear the inscription, "I've got you in my sites.""I put it in my husband's bathroom," Benninger said.

Karen Murphy of Zelienople uses her work as a travel agent to cultivate an ecclectic, international tree. Traveling at least once a year gives her enough ornaments to keep the theme alive. A totem pole from Alaska and a stingray from the Caribbean have found a home on her tree.

Rasely's downstairs casino tree includes playing cards and dice.

This Victorian-theme tree is one of 17 that decorate MicheleRasely's home.

Laurye Feller of Forward Township, an alpaca farm owner, uses the animal for her theme.

Murphy's international tree includes Nessie, the Loch Ness monster from Scotland. She said it's not always easy to find ornaments in certain locales.

Rasely's year-round upstairs Christmas tree is decorated according to the month. Many of the winter ornaments will be transferred to this permanent tree for January.

Michele Rasely with the oldest of her theme trees.

Kim Murphy, assistant manager of Sunset Hills Alpaca Farm in Forward Township, holds a baby alpaca beside an alpaca-themed tree. Instead of garland, shorn fleece is wrapped around the tree.