• Christmas Trees on the Square
    Who knew Santa Claus played in a band? The Eugene Kings did.
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    Linden’s garden club makes use of garden hat, gloves and water bucket
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    First prize this year went to Shorty and D’Ann Braddock
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    Linden Economic Development Corporation and Main Street built a sturdy Christmas tree
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    The Reno family has bells ringing out “Oh Holy Night.”
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    Santa and Mrs. Claus both need a beauty salon
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    Reeder-Davis Funeral Home has a cardinal and words of wisdom going with the courthouse Civil War spire.
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    Jo Miller in honor of her late husband.
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    Well, Good Grief, of course Charlie Brown wants to join in
  • Christmas Trees on the Square
    William Banks has created this decorated Christmas tree. HIs “boys” are members of a large dog breed.

Christmas Trees on the Square

A long time ago, in Linden town…..well, maybe about three years ago, Linden Lions Club members Charlie Horn and Terri deNatale birthed a new service project, the Festival of Lights.

Under the crafty guidance of Glenn Lanier, members came together with jigsaws and green paint and cut fourfoot Christmas trees out of plywood.

Thirty little trees were placed all around the historic Cass County courthouse. Each tree was adorned with twinkle lights.

Big Hit! The next year there were 60 trees, and so the story goes.

Pictures show the creativity of our Lindenite sponsors who adorned their little trees with ribbons and candy canes and birds and, of course, baby Jesus.

First prize this year went to Shorty and D’Ann Braddock who, very graciously, donated their $100 back to the club. This year our sponsors include The Thomases and Tweety, Reeder Davis Funeral Home, Linden Garden Club, City of Linden, Jacob Turner Foundation, Pleasant Hill Church, Linden EDC/Main Street and Pleasant Hill School, just to name a few.

There were not enough trees this year so there will be a waiting list for 2025.

Lions fund projects that address hunger, diabetes, vision, environment, childhood cancer, disasters and other worthy causes.

(Editor’s Notes: City council member Mary Dowd joined photographer Neil Abeles for this appreciation of the over 60 festive and memorial Christmas trees placed around the Cass County Courthouse.)