Every year, 244 people in Bartlett have one thing in common: They add another limited edition hometown ornament to their Christmas trees.
The city raises money for the Christmas parade with Bartlett-themed ornaments about local scenes, facilities, and landmarks. The decoration has a new twist for 2013, featuring two images for the first time in the ornament’s 26-year history.
The 2013 version pays tribute to past and present with front views of Bartlett High School and how it once looked as Nicholas Blackwell High. Despite many guesses that it marks Bartlett’s launch of its new municipal school district, the choice was simply a lucky one, said Debbie Morrison, the city’s community relations director.
It has also been a popular choice – this year’s ornament is more than halfway to being sold out. Only 244 were made.
“It’s a unique gift you give someone that’s from Bartlett,” Morrison said. “And if you’re going out of town, you can take that as a hostess gift.”
The fundraiser began in 1988 when local dentist and artist Tim Hacker and his wife, Tammie, created the “Christmas in Bartlett” ornament. Today, the city works with Keystone Marketing in Pennsylvania on the designs.
Past themes have included city hall, fire stations, the Japanese Gardens behind City Hall, the Bartlett Museum, the Justice Center, and, as of last year, Davies Manor. Although a few remain from about 18 previous issues, the most popular designs sell out quickly, Morrison said. It’s hard to find the more elusive ones that paid tribute to Veterans Park, Bartlett Station Municipal Center, and Bledsoe Park.
“I have all except for Bledsoe Park,” she said.
The ornament sells for $10 at Bartlett City Hall or the community relations office at Bartlett Station Municipal Center. For more information, call 385-5589 or email communityrelations@cityofbartlett.org.
