Winter wonderland

By Wade Coggeshall

December 12, 2008 05:04 pm

— From the outside, The Harrison doesn’t necessarily foretell its treasures within.
Entering the retirement community’s front doors, however, reveals a Christmas display of magical proportions.
Christmas trees of varying size, color, and theme dot the oval, cavernous lobby. Greenery hangs from three stories’ worth of railing. Giant banners depicting Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus — donated by Chapel Rock Christian Church — are suspended at one end.
For Tracy Cornforth, executive director of The Harrison, the ostentatious spread makes it plain that Christmas is her favorite time of the year.
“I’m told it’s an obsession,” she said. “My employees talk about how I never turn down Christmas decorations.”
Cornforth started the tradition when she came to The Harrison 12 years ago. That first Christmas there were two trees, including the 21-foot tall Victorian that still anchors the lobby today (it was voted the best tree during a Christmas gala that drew 2,000 from the community last week). This year there are 43.
“It’s a labor of love,” Cornforth said, quite the understatement.
But there’s a reason for the pomp.
“Realistically, we know for about 25 of our residents this is going to be their last Christmas,” Cornforth said. “To give them the opportunity to be proud of their home, and give them reasons for their family to come in, gives them those memories.”
Her gift is seeing the inhabitants of The Harrison walking around in the evening and marveling at the colors. Their families enjoy it too.
“A lot of times people think seniors are forgotten during the holidays,” Cornforth said. “I guess this is why I like to do it so much. They’re certainly not forgotten here.”
Tenants of The Harrison certainly are impressed.
“It’s like a winter wonderland,” said Flo Achelpohl. “They do a fantastic job.”
Added Millie LaLond, “It always seems to get better. There’s always something new.”
It starts Thanksgiving night. Cornforth and eight from her staff start setting up trees and stranding the lights. This takes the whole weekend. Then members of various groups who use free space at The Harrison to meet, come in sometime the following week to decorate. They represent organizations like 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, Lions Clubs, and churches. The Harrison provides food and decorations.
This year Cornforth counted 58 volunteers, not including her employees.
“We are really tied to the community,” she said. “This is a way for them to give back to us.”
That’s the aspect that impresses resident Dot Adams the most.
“Everyone worked so hard and quick,” she said. “You don’t find that many people working together as well as they did. They did it in record time too.”
No two Christmas trees are alike. Rather, they have themes. The Harrison chapter of the Red Hat Society festooned its tree with, naturally, red hats. The one in the library is bedecked with ornaments from around the world. A tree in the cafeteria is garnished with decorations resembling food.
Others include one dedicated to breast cancer, gingerbread, a patriotic display by a Veterans of Foreign Wars post, a purple one by Ben Davis teachers, and another by 4-H’ers that has a nature theme.
Cornforth insists she’ll never run out of ideas for The Harrison’s Christmas display. Or space.
“I was at a store once and saw an upside down Christmas tree,” she said with a laugh. “We have lots of ceiling space. There are lots of possibilities still.”
The Harrison is at 3060 Valley Farms Road off of U.S. 136. For more information, call 291-1112.

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com

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