December 5 - 18, 2017
www.santaynezvalleystar.com
Every Issue Complimentary Every Time
’TIS THE SEASON
Photos by Raiza Giorgi Left, Dan, Wade and Bill Agin, from left, enjoy greeting the many generations of residents who come to their tree lot each year to pick out Christmas trees. Above, Genevieve Howie of Santa Ynez is ready for Christmas, even though the day after Thanksgiving when she was treeshopping was in the upper 80s in Santa Ynez.
Agin’s tree lots are a Christmas tradition “We sold 500 trees that first year and I can’t even count how many we sell now,” Bill Agin said with a smile. The Agins have had a Christmas tree lot in the Santa Ynez Valley since 1979 and are seeing third generations of families come through. “It’s awesome because we get to have “This is our fourth year getting our tree from Christmas for five weeks, and even after the Agins, and we just love how hospitable people get their trees from us they come back they are,” she said as one of the Agins loaded several times to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate their tree onto their car. The Agin family have been in the Christmas and share stories,” Agin said. Elena Mirelez and her mother Leona bring tree business since 1969, when Dick and Bill the Agins a box of homemade chocolate chip were still in high school. They were in need cookies each year, and they said it’s a Christof a job; a friend asked, why not try selling mas tradition to come see the Agins. Christmas trees?
Generations of loyal customers support the 48-year family operation By Raiza Giorgi
news@santaynezvalleystar.com
E
ven with a heat wave on the day after Thanksgiving, people were finding their way to the Agin Christmas tree lot. In shorts and flip flops, Lexi Berry and her family were excited to pick out their tree and start decorating for the holidays.
“We are right on Grand Avenue in Los Olivos, so we like to display our tree in the yard so everyone passing through can see it all lit up,” Mirelez said. On Black Friday, Agin’s son Wade was busy teaching first-timers about the importance of placement of their tree to avoid fire hazards. “Make sure your tree isn’t sitting near the heater vents, as that dries is out so quickly. Also the first day keep checking your tree for water because it can drink up to two buckets after being cut. Once the bucket is dry, the sap cuts off flow and the tree won’t be able to
o AGIN’S CONTINUED ON PAGE 27