Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
After nine years of asking for a Christmas tree, a City Commissioner is finally getting her wish granted.
As City Commissioner Kendra Wilkinson fondly remembers from her childhood in the late 40’s and early 50’s, El Dorado has an annual Christmas tree perched at the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue for all to enjoy. The tree was dawned with twinkling lights that glowed each night, a spectacle for those driving or walking the street after dark.
She also remembers a different time in life when it was much slower and more simple. During the holidays Main Street would be lined with merchandise shops decorated with holiday décor, music would play from the downtown speakers for holiday shoppers to enjoy and fake snow would even blast form the building rooftops to make it a white Christmas, just downtown. It all sounds quite magical and a great place to spend time.
Since she joined the City Commission, Wilkinson had requested a Christmas tree be put out for all to enjoy at Main and Central. To no avail, she was always struck down with reasons of impracticality or low priority. Yet she persisted with the same request for nine years. At some point it became a running joke that the commission’s “top priority” was to put up a tree just for Commissioner Wilkinson.
One night as she was doing her nightly routine, Wilkinson received a text from her daughter telling her that there was a tree at Main Street and Central Avenue. It was true, her Christmas wish had come true. Reportedly, she hurried downtown in her car to see a small Christmas tree perched in the middle of road construction, fenced off and lit up for all to see at night.
“It’s not as big as the one I remember from childhood, but the bottom line is, it’s a lighted Christmas tree at the intersection of Main in Central,” said Wilkinson. “It put a smile on my face and a warm spot in my heart that after nine years I got my Christmas tree. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference.”
How the tree got itself there was a mystery. She had asked City Manager David Dillner what “elf” to thank for the tree in which he responded jokingly, “Santa!”. She then asked which department to thank in which he responded, “Engineering.”
Little did she know that the Engineering Department had been working behind the scenes to make the Christmas tree happen. Engineering Director Scott Rickard discussed the possibility with his team, mentioning how long Wilkinson had been asking for it. He thought that they just had to make it happen for her this year. Engineering Technician Erik Tharp heard the request and ran with it all.
“I just thought with the construction going on and the street is blocked off anyhow, what a perfect time to take advantage and place a tree this year,” said Rickard. “Normally we can’t do this due to how much traffic there is on the intersection. Not to mention the turning lanes and the way the road is now, it just wouldn’t work out in a safe way.”
Tharp immediately contacted Nowak Construction, the team working on the Central Avenue Project, about the possibility of having a lighted tree there. The company loved the idea so much that they bought the tree themselves and placed it for viewing. The tree is battery operated so the batteries must be changed out every so often, which Tharp does himself to ensure the tree remains lit. Tharp has been with the department for 23 years. He was unavailable for comment at this time due to being on vacation for the holidays.
“We understand that there’s been an inconvenience to downtown businesses and residents that came with the Central Avenue Project and construction,” said Rickard. “We deeply appreciate and sincerely thank the support from those same people as we work to improve the El Dorado infrastructure and historic downtown. This project is a testament to our willingness and commitment to investing in the future and infrastructure by keeping downtown thriving.”
Sometimes a construction worker will place a hat on top of the tree since it’s missing a star, bringing humor to the tree. Dillner has confirmed that the tree will stay at the intersection through the new year as long as the construction remains. Stories like these remind us that it’s sometimes the small things that can bring joy to others.
