Well, today is my Birthday and this year has been one I will never forget. I can say because of COVID-19, it has made me think about what is essential in life. Like toilet paper, water, food, available medical support, good health, having a job, family, and friends. During this holiday season, I hope you can take a moment to reflect on what is important and special in your life.
Now, the holiday season is upon us. We have to remember that our environment would thank us every time we do something green, like recycling. Let us talk about the Christmas tree. I did some research, and there are quite a lot of stories on how the Christmas tree came about. According to the History Channel and some online sites, Christmas trees’ history represents using evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome. It continues with the German tradition of candlelit Christmas trees first brought to America in the 1800s. Plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just like we decorate our homes during Christmas, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. It was believed that evergreens would bring good luck and keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness in many countries.
Some people believe the idea for Christmas trees was invented by St. Boniface. There are different legends regarding how St. Boniface created the Christmas tree. In some traditions, he is considered the pioneer of the Christmas Tree. Some claim he used the fir tree’s triangle shape to teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to pagans that already used trees as part of their rituals.
References to the use of trees in Christmas ceremonies are also mentioned in the mid-1500s in pre-Germany. Records indicate that a pine tree was decorated and used in a Christmas celebration in 1521. In 1539, in the Cathedral of Strasbourg, church records state that a Christmas tree was used for the Christmas celebration. And in 1570 chronicles from a Bremen guild record, a fir tree was decorated with fruits and nuts that children ate on Christmas day. In the 1700s, the Christmas tree custom spread throughout Germany. People began decorating the trees with candles lit on Christmas Eve. As the Christmas tree custom spread through Germany, the Roman Catholic Church eventually recognized it in the early 1800s. The Christmas tree was introduced in America by German immigrants in the mid-1700s.
If you celebrate this Christmas with a live Christmas tree, please remember to recycle it at the KLB event, Bring One For The Chipper, to be mulched! You should remove all decorations from your tree before dropping it off for recycling. Help make sure that your live tree does not become wasted yard waste. Between December 26, 2020, and January 9, 2021, we will have various locations around the county for you to turn in your tree for recycling. Citizens in Hinesville can also have their undecorated trees picked up at the curb. All trees dropped off must be ‘undecorated’ and free of any binding! Georgia Power Company graciously provides the equipment and manpower to mulch all the trees for our county!
You can deposit your tree in the designated locations at any Liberty County Solid Waste Convenience Center or Recycling Drop off Center during regular operating hours between December 26, 2020, and January 7, 2021. These locations are: 25 South Dairy Road (SR 196W, GumBranch) 156 Pate Rogers Road (Fleming) 836 Limerick Road (near Lake George) 64 Left Field Road (Hwy 84, Miller Park) 619 J V Road (west of Hinesville) 50 Isle of Wight Road (Midway area) 344 Ft Morris Road (East End near Sunbury) 129 Sandy Run (off Hwy 84) 941 E G Miles Parkway (SR 196W at Training Center) Walthourville Public Works site 4000 Coastal Hwy (Hwy 17 in Riceboro) Ft Stewart Liberty County Health Department 1113 East Oglethorpe Hwy At our Chipper Mulch site at the Liberty County Health Department at the corner of Hwy 84 and Patriot’s Trail in Flemington/Hinesville, we will have our annual chipping day from 9:00am until 1:00pm on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Mulch Day is a fun day for everyone, so please drop by and bring your tree. All citizens who drop by on January 9, 2021, can pick up tree seedlings, as well as vegetable and flower seeds, while our supply lasts.
KLB is also having an Electronic Recycling Fair and Tire Amnesty Day on January 9, 2021. The drop off location for these items is at the Liberty County Health Department. A list of collectible items is on the Keep Liberty Beautiful website www. keeplibertybeautiful.org. For more information on Christmas tree recycling and more, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.com.