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Christmas Wreath Rewards
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Wreaths are a decoration for many, but for some residents of western Maine, wreaths are an important source of income. When winter sets in, and the ski season hasn’t started, these workers turn to the trees in their area to produce added income. Jim Melchiorre tells us the story behind this Christmas tradition. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Salem, Maine)
Wes and Joanne Moody work fast, from the first hard freeze around
Halloween.
Their community makes 2,000 balsam fir Christmas wreaths in less than
three weeks.
Joanne Moody / Wreath Maker: “It’s a good time of the year to be busy
with things like this because we just changed time, it gets dark, and it
gives you something good to do in the evenings.”
Claudia Avery / Wreath Maker: “This helps at a very crucial time of the
year. Sugar Loaf Mountain, the ski area here, doesn’t open until
December. So November is a very low-income month for people and it gives
them a chance to do something, work, and earn money.”
Hard times hit these villages when factories began closing 30 years ago.
That’s when the United Methodist Church set up its Economic Ministry
here and got involved with Christmas wreaths.
Kay Webb / Director, United Methodist Economic Ministry: “The connection
was made between local people, who have made the wreaths for extra
money, and the United Methodist churches, and we’re the in-between
people. Churches order the wreaths to sell at their church fairs.”
Wreath-making families can earn several hundred dollars which, in
November, can seem a life-saver.
Rhoda Bacheldor / Wreath Maker: “Ours goes to finish off the taxes that
we haven’t paid during the summer, our yearly taxes, and of course, oil
and wood, and if there’s left-over money, Christmas.”
Hundreds of people who visit Christmas craft fairs consider these
wreaths a tradition. They’re also a safety net for folks who might
otherwise fall through the cracks.
TAG:
The wreaths are made on a 12" ring and include a hangar. They are
undecorated. Each wreath costs $8. Shipping is an additional charge.
You can reach the United Methodist Economic Ministry at
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/umem/wreaths.html
or call 207-678-2611.