Jefferson City, Mo. – Christmas is upon us. Decorations have been strategically placed in our homes, businesses and even in the Missouri State Capitol.
The state’s official Christmas tree and wreath were dedicated on Nov. 30, by the governor and Missouri’s First Lady. The tree is a decades-old tradition and sits just outside the governor’s office at the top of the grand staircase on the second floor of the Capitol.
This year’s Capitol Christmas tree is from the Branch Ranch Christmas Tree Farm near Philadelphia, Mo. Displayed next to the tree is an evergreen wreath from Horse Shoe Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Jackson, Mo. Both of these tree farms earned the opportunity to provide the official tree and wreath through a competition with the Missouri Christmas Tree Association.
Butch and Darlene Augspurg have been selling Christmas trees for nearly 20 years at their Branch Ranch Farm near Philadelphia, located in northeast Missouri. The family has planted more than 6,500 Austrian and Scotch Pine trees on their farm.
This year’s wreath came from Horse Shoe Pines, owned and operated by Steve and Teresa Meier. This year marks Horse Shoe Pines 29th holiday season on their farm in Jackson, Mo.
The spirit of Christmas has been obvious throughout the Capitol and especially in the Missouri Senate over the last few weeks. Just last week, the Senate hosted an annual Christmas luncheon where employees raised more than $2,000 for two Jefferson City area organizations. For years, Senate employees have reached into their hearts to help support a variety of local causes, not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
Merry Christmas from the Missouri Senate!
For more information about the Missouri Capitol or the Missouri Senate, please visit the Missouri Senate’s website at www.senate.mo.gov.