Twin Towers hosts Christmas bonanza, tree decorating contest

Miracle on Hazel Street Thursday attracted a crowd of more than 100 people of all ages Thursday at the Twin Towers.

Popping in to participate in the festivities were Santa Claus and the Grinch, who were available for photos.

The Gnome Tree decorated by Ross Service Coordinators captured the most votes.

Other Christmas trees were decorated by First Midwest Bank, Missouri Highlands Health Care, Republic Services, Beautifully Broken, Bread Shed, Poplar Bluff Housing Authority Grinch Tree, Eastside Pharmacy, Boys and Girls Club of the Heatland, Northside Nutrition Center and South Central Community Action Agency.

Describing the event as “perfect for the residents, booth holders and volunteers,” Tammy Harper of the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority said, “We hope this becomes an annual thing for housing and continues to grow and we get more visitors, more Christmas lights, more window painters and more food trucks.”

Harper plans to ask local businesses and agencies to participate again next year assisting in decorating the Christmas tree forest, putting up lights or painting windows.

Ann Smith of South Central Community Action Agency partners with housing a lot and she said, the event “was just a good community activity.”

Among the youngsters attending were Maston Douglas, who came with Smith who is his grandmother. Tallen and Rylen Phillips and Adalynn King accompanied great-grandmother Marilyn Rushin and their grandmother Stephanie McCane.

Twin Towers resident Janet Scott said, “I think it is cute. I helped decorated three trees. It is really great.”

Scott retired a year ago from Chartwell Schools Food Services.

“I get to do what I want,” she said.

Carl Green of the Twin Towers chimed in he thinks the trees and event are “cool.”

Erin English of Back 40 Market showed up to serve hot chocolate.

Special displays included a Christmas tree in the library, which was not in the competition, decorated with handmade ornaments created by a late resident at the Towers. The second was a wall of characters drawn freehand by resident Steph Wetton.