By Rachel Basinger

Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Woodcrest Senior Living Community near Scottdale will hold its fourth annual Walk of Trees at 5 p.m. Dec. 15.

Executive Director Rob Dulla Jr. said the event came about by accident.

“We wanted to do something special for our residents, so we put out eight trees — one in each window,” Dulla said. “Because of the excitement we saw from the residents, the staff decided to take it to a different level.”

Two years ago, more than 30 trees were decorated by area businesses, displayed in the facility, and the public invited to come and view them.

Last year, the public was again invited and there were between 30 and 40 decorated trees.

This year, although the public is still invited, there is a slight change to the day, Dulla said. Previously, visitors came at their leisure and walked around looking at the trees. Now, there will be a brief program to start the event.

Robin Metzger, an administrator at Woodcrest, said the evening is a way to bring the community into Woodcrest for the holiday season.

“The residents like the trees, and they love seeing and talking to the people who come to visit,” she said.

Dulla said Woodcrest provides the trees and area businesses come in and decorate them. There is no cost to have anyone decorate a tree or to come tour the trees.

“We like for them to be creative and decorate it with things that have to do with their business,” he said.

Dulla added that if there's any individual or member of the community who can't make the scheduled Walk of Trees tour, they are welcome to come in any time.

The facility is highlighting two different trees again this year:

• A Memory Tree, where residents can place a bulb on the tree in memory of a loved one who passed away, and

• A Giving Tree, which is decorated with donated hats, scarves and gloves for area adults and children in need.

Dulla said the event has grown each year. This year there are 40 trees.

Rachel Basinger is a freelance writer.

1. Democratic newcomer, incumbents to vie for seats on Latrobe Council
2. Bilik DeFazio leads race on both ballots
3. GOP leader gets row office nod
4. Democrats in close race for Greensburg Council nominations
5. Newcomer Kase to join incuments on Murrysville fall ballot
6. Four Greensburg Salem candidates get both parties' backing
7. Jacobelli bests Carter to win Jeannette mayoral nod
8. Challenger posts stunning upset in Monessen mayoral race
9. Incumbents fare well in Latrobe School board balloting
10. Leaks have couple rethinking dream of art gallery iin New Alexandria
11. Councilwoman Wolford wins Latrobe Democratic mayoral nod

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.