A very Meyer Christmas

Chad Heins prepared to put a star on the top of Meyer Hall's Christmas tree.

BY EMELINE GULLIXSON ('21)

During the advent and epiphany seasons there are many Christmas trees decorating Bethany’s campus, none may have such an interesting backstory as the one situated at the entrance to Meyer Hall. For over ten years, the Meyer Hall tree has come from Little’s Tree Farm in Good Thunder, Minnesota. Glenda Bossow, an Administrative Assistant in the IT Services Department located in Meyer Hall, would call the farm and ask if someone from Meyer Hall could come out and cut down a tree. The owners at Little’s were always happy to oblige.

A few years back, Little’s closed up shop to the general public. However, the relationship with Bethany continued to grow, as they still let those in Meyer Hall return for a tree every year around Thanksgiving.

“Little’s has been very good about continuing to let us come out to the grove and pick a tree, even though it’s not open to the public anymore,” said John Sehloff, Director of IT Services.

The Meyer Hall tree holds a special place for Bethany students, too–especially students of Chad Heins, Associate Professor in the Biology Department. Every year around Thanksgiving, those lucky enough to be part of Heins’ field biology courses, such as botany, zoology, or ecology, are treated to a three-hour lab period of driving out to Little’s Farm, observing the wildlife there, and cutting down the Meyer Hall Christmas tree.

“Because those field biology classes tend to be smaller ones, it makes for the perfect work crew. And the students love doing it, too,” said Heins.

Heins sees this as an opportunity for some hands-on, local learning. Owls are abundant at the farm, and the trip is a highlight for Heins and students alike.

“We’ll first drive the trailer through the grove to see if there’s any owls roosting, since they love Evergreen trees,” said Heins. “Then we’ll walk around, pick out a tree, cut it down, and load it in the trailer. From there, our job is to get the tree to the front door of Meyer. Maintenance meets us there, and they do the trimming.”

The chosen tree presents exciting challenges each year, some reaching up to thirty feet tall, and some with trunks so wide the tree has to be cut even shorter. A few days after the tree is situated in Meyer Hall, the Bethany Organization of Student Scientists (BOSS) decorate the tree while enjoying holiday treats. Depending on the height of the tree, the task of decorating sometimes requires a lift.

Though going to Little’s Farm has been memorable for students, the annual tradition went on hiatus in 2021. Because trees were being cut down near the soccer field to make room for Bethany’s upcoming Activity and Wellness Center, it was only fitting that one of those trees be put to good use.

This year, the Meyer Hall Christmas tree came from somewhere even closer to home, serving as a reminder to those who walk by it of Bethany’s Christmas, Christ-centered campus.

Student Leah Hahm helped with decorating the tree.

Photo by Sarah Schwartz