Time to place Christmas wreath orders

Withering heat doesn't stop the forward march of time, and the time has come to place orders for decorated fresh balsam fir wreaths to be delivered in time for the Christmas holidays.

It's a project of the Presbyterian Women from Community Presbyterian Church.

The group will take orders for the wreaths through Wednesday, Nov. 1. They will be delivered anywhere in the continental U.S., as well as Hawaii, Alaska and Canada (for a slight fee) in early December.

The price is $35, which includes shipping and handling.

"They're the greatest company gift. You don't have to dust it or store it," said Deanne Sims, who with Evelyn Niebrugge is co-chairing the event.

The wreaths are decorated with pine cones, berries and a big, red bow.

Handmade in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont where wreath making is a cottage industry, the wreaths measure 22 inches across. After the cold weather has set the needles, the boughs are cut and brought back from the woods. The tips are clipped into

five- to eight-inch pieces, gathered into fans, then wired shingle-fashion into the wreath rings. The wreaths are then set outside in the snow to be preserved until they are shipped south in early December.

Proceeds from the sale fund the charitable activities of Presbyterian Women, including scholarships awarded each spring to graduating seniors at Port Aransas High School.

To place an order, call Sims at 749- 5317 or Niebrugge at 749-6355.