fitness

4-H Wreath Sale

Pre-order Your Natural Decor Soon

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES

Make your home festive, support a great organization, and support North Carolina farmers all at the same time with the annual 4-H Wreath sale. Both 22 and 24 inch Fraser Fir wreaths from the mountains of North Carolina are available. This sale is pre-order only and all orders must be received by Monday, Nov 7 at 5 pm. Just mail in or drop off the order form at right to 25 Referendum Dr Bldg N,Bolivia, NC 28422, or order online at https://bit.ly/3DIIzhJ. Payment can me made by cash or check at pick up. Pick up your order on Saturday, Nov 17 from 9 am - 5 pm at the NC Cooperative Extension office, 25 Referendum Drive, Building N in Bolivia.

Funds raised from the annual wreath sale go to benefit the Brunswick County 4-H. According to Jamie Lester, 4-H Youth Development Agent, “It will allow youth to attend 4-H Summer Camp, as well as participate in conferences and workshops across the state and nation.” wick County 4-H gets their Fraser Fir wreaths from Brookgreen Farm, family owned and operated, and located in the Appalachian mountains.”

“By using locally produced wreaths we are able to support the farmers in our state,” Lester said. “Bruns-

Felicia Joyce, owner and operator of Brookgreen Farms, explained what makes their wreaths different. “We make our wreaths almost entirely from the “butt prunings” or bottom limbs of Fraser Fir trees. When we started making wreaths it was just to utilize a beautiful part of the tree that was really wasted. Many farmers trim off the bottom boughs because it makes cutting the tree in the field much easier and those bottom limbs are often damaged in baling & end up having to be trimmed at the point of sale anyway. We just didn’t want to waste our hard work, and so we started making wreaths.”

Lester said there are many reasons to choose natural wreaths and trees rather than artificial ones. •Real trees are a renewable & recyclable resource as they are an agricultural crop. •For every real tree that is harvested, typically 2-3 seedlings will be planted to continue the growth cycle.

•Christmas tree farmers stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife. •Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and release oxygen. Burning fossil fuels to produce plastics adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere contributing to global warming. •Live Christmas wreaths have many environmental benefits. They’re recyclable if you take the wires and rings off. Many communities have recycling programs in place during the holiday season to pick up your Christmas trees and wreaths. They are chipped and made into mulch.

The 4-H Adventure Club will also be selling homemade bows for $5 to help support their club needs as well, Lester said.

M A Y O R ’ S D O W N T O W N T R E E L I G H T I N G C E R E M O N Y

In the Spirit of the Holiday Season, Mayor Hatem will light the City of Southport's Downtown Christmas Tree at Whittler's Bench. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas will be read and the Trinity United Methodist Church Children’s Choir will serenade us with timehonored Christmas Carols. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. Come join us in person or online on Friday, November 25, 6 pm to share in the Joy of the Season.