Holiday inspiration: Jubilee tree designers tell stories of Christmas

ST. GEORGE — Dozens of decorator trees received a final touch of Christmas magic from designers Tuesday as the 2015 Jubilee of Trees preps for opening Thursday. The fundraiser brings together dozens of local designers who share their vision of the holiday through their themed Christmas trees.

The trees are on public display for five days and will be sold during the Jubilee Gala Dinner and Auction Friday evening. Proceeds from this year’s Jubilee, sponsored by the Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, will go toward the advancement of trauma care and neurosciences at Dixie Regional Medical Center.

“This is a great cause to be able to make money for the community and the hospital which we will all use at some time” said long-time designer Rosalie Scholes. “It’s wonderful.”

Scholes has been lending her artistic eye to Jubilee tree design for 28 years. This year, her Christ-themed tree features a color combination of red, green and silver with framed pictures of the Christian savior.

Scholes also decorated a mini-tree for the celebration and designed and prepared 75 centerpieces for the event.

“The hard part for me is over the 28 years, I’ve done everything,” she said. “I’ve done snowmen and Santa Clauses and elves and angels, just kind of the whole gamut.”

She searches for inspiration all year long until she settles on a theme.

“(I) try and find new things, new ideas, but you just see something and then you think, ‘That’d be fun — I think I’ll do that,’” she said.

Scholes has worn many hats for the Jubilee through the years including chairing the event that she said for many families has become a tradition.

“I think it’s something they’ll treasure their whole lives because a lot of time and love goes into them,” she said.

Judi Jolley had planned to take a year off from designing for the Jubilee. After more than a decade of participation she’d planned to enjoy the event as a spectator. Her son Trevor had other plans however and after years of assisting his mom with her designs, decided to take the lead this year.

“I just wanted to portray what it would look like for a military member for Christmas,” he said.

The veteran of the Iraq war envisioned a tableau of military gear and personal effects to share with the public what it’s like to be a soldier far away from home. The result is “I Wish I was Home for Christmas,” a tree covered in patriotic symbols and a gently draped American flag.

Jolley is happy to serve in the assistant role her son occupied for so many years. It’s all part of their family tradition to participate in the Jubilee.

“It kind of sparks the season, I think, for me,” she said. “If anybody hasn’t been involved, it’s a good thing to start the season off right. Counting your blessings, I guess you could say, and realizing what a great hospital we have.”

Event details

  • What: 2015 Jubilee of Trees
  • When: Nov. 19-23 | Open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Dixie Center, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive, St. George
  • Ticket Information: 435-251-2480 or visit Jubilee of Trees website

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

 

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