On Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, for the 12th year, the Caylor family of Merrill decorated the Christmas tree in the gazebo at Normal Park with lights. The tree was the brainstorm of Kathleen Caylor who “was obsessed with Christmas” according to her daughter-in-law, Valerie Caylor, “so she got permission to put a tree in the gazebo, we decorated it, and we’ve been doing it ever since.”
“Then when she passed away in 2015, before she passed away, she wanted us to keep the tradition going, so we’ve continued it,” Valerie said.
Dan Jackson, the long-time companion of Mary Bauman who is the daughter of Lydia Bauman [who was instrumental in building the gazebo], has been growing and grooming this balsam tree for a number of years at his Jackson Prairie River Tree Farm in Parrish, Wis., and donated this year’s tree for the community to enjoy. The tree will be lit for the first time this year on Saturday, Dec. 4.