More than just a tree

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OREGON - The post-Thanksgiving weekend traditionally brings out hundreds of anxious shoppers hoping to snag pre-Christmas specials and giveaways. Yet, it also attracts shoppers partaking in another tradition - searching for the perfect Christmas tree. Sinnissippi Forest in Oregon opened Friday and invited families to browse through and cut down more than 100,000 Scotch and white pine, blue spruce, and fir trees. The tree farm is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The land was bought by former Gov. Frank O. Lowden more than a century ago. He began and ran the tree-planting operation until he died in 1943. Five years later, his family began selling Christmas trees. In 1955, Sinnissippi became the first tree farm in the state. For owner and Lowden's great-grandson, Warren Miller, the rush of excited families looking for the perfect Christmas tree still brings a smile to his face. "I love to see the kids light up when they come out here," he said. "They can see Santa Claus and walk around and take in nature. It's great to see the families out here doing it all together." Manager Dave Stenger agreed. "It's a unique business, because in all the years we've been out here, almost no one is in a bad mood," he said. "Generally, everyone comes in with a big smile on their face." Stenger said the farm gets visitors every year from the Sauk Valley, as well as other parts of the state. For many, the farm is more than a place to find the perfect Christmas tree - it's a place where family traditions begin. Corinne Lyons, 39, of Byron has come to the farm every year since she was a kid. "This has always been a place my family and I come to every year," she said. "Not only do we get our Christmas tree, but we're also able to support a local business." Her daughter Lauren, 8, reveled in playing in the rows of trees. When asked what kind of tree the family was looking for, she replied, "a tall, fat one." Tonia Gaines, 25, of Malta, brought along her grandfather, Ron Nissen, and her 1-year-old son, Ramze. "It's a family tradition to come out here," she said. "I'm starting a new tradition with my son by bringing him out here to see the trees and visit Santa." Nissen, 52, has brought his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the farm for the last 20 years. With a large farmhouse in Mount Morris, Nissen's goal was to find a large Christmas tree to fit in his living room. "We always need at least a 9-foot tree," he said. "We always find that one, special tree."