On the week of November 13-17 National English Honor Society members worked together with English teacher Mrs. MaryEllen Newcomb to create ornaments for a Christmas tree. The tree was appropriately named “Season’s G-readings” as all of the ornaments were made from the pages of old books.

The idea came from the ornaments that were used to decorate the Christmas tree in the media center the prior year.

The ornaments were crafted into a variety of shapes including stars and circles, and all NEHS members were hard at work constructing them.

Class of 2018 member Shannon McGoey said, “It was really fun and a great way to reuse old unused books.”

The tree will be decorated on November 19th by NEHS officers and members and displayed at the Timonium Fairgrounds at the Festival of Trees from November 24-26.

The Festival of Trees is a yearly event in which participants from all over Maryland can decorate themed trees. Mr. Jeremy Brown and Mrs. Natalie Rebetsky are long-time tree decorators and will be decorating two trees this year at the same time as the NEHS members.

After the Festival of Trees, all of the decorated trees are sold, and the money then goes to the Happy Holidays Fund which gives support to families of children in need.  In addition to trees, festival goers can purchase wreaths and other seasonal gifts.  The Cow Palace in Timonium is transformed by 500 decorated trees, crafters, rides for children, a performance stage, and visits with Santa.

If you would like the attend the Festival of Trees, the tickets are available online.