Winter’s abrupt appearance last week delayed decorating the exterior of the courthouse for the holidays, but it didn’t change plans to decorate the courthouse square.
According to county auditor Jane Heun, Durlam Electric planned to bring its lift truck and hang the large decorations on the south side of the courthouse late last week. The Veterans Day snow didn’t deter the crew, but high winds did. The courthouse is unadorned as of Wednesday.
So are the light poles around the square, but that’s not a weather issue. Jefferson street superintendent Dave Teeples said Tuesday he follows a practice that dates back many years of waiting until after Thanksgiving to hang the city’s holiday decorations. The crew hasn’t worried about getting the job done ahead of cold weather, as in many cities.
This is the second holiday season since the decorative light poles were installed as part of the streetscape project. Last year a wreath hung on each pole. This year, the crew will wrap the lighted garland from the city’s older decorations around the pole, and rather than wreaths, a seasonal basket will hang on the brackets used for flower baskets during the summer. Jefferson Matters: Main Street is spearheading the job on the baskets.
Teeples expects the garland will go up next week, but it won’t be lit until after Thanksgiving.
The large decorations will go up on the front of the courthouse when weather and time allows.
