BERLIN – For the first time in more than two decades, the Ocean City- Berlin Rotary Club will not be selling Christmas trees along Route 589.
A shortage of trees prompted the club to give up its longstanding tree fundraiser in Ocean Pines. Instead, members are hoping to raise the money they use for scholarships through other fundraisers, including a Giving Tuesday campaign on Nov. 30.
“For the first time ever we’ve created a Giving Tuesday button for our website,” said Margaret Mudron, the club’s treasurer. “We’re hoping if we share our story maybe our friends will make a donation.”
The Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club began selling Christmas trees in the 1990s, taking over a tradition started by the Rogers Family, whose Rainy Day shop was then adjacent to Campbell’s Cottages. When Don and Mabel Rogers’ son died unexpectedly, they asked club members if they wanted to take over the Christmas tree sales. Mudron said the club agreed and began using the proceeds from the sales to provide scholarships to Stephen Decatur High School seniors in memory of Chris Rogers. Since 2000, the club has awarded $65,000 in scholarships.
When Dan Harris, the club’s Christmas tree chairman, called to order this year’s trees, however, he was advised the farm only had large trees. They didn’t have the 265, 6-7 foot Fraser firs the club typically buys.
They must come from CHINA too !!!
“…during the last recession farmers didn’t plant as many trees as in years past. Because they take about 10 years to grow, there’s now a shortage…”
Last recession was what bout 2008-2009. Then things turned around…then America was made Great. If they didn’t plant for just say 2 years, there just happens to be a bubble now??? After the pandemic???
The math makes sense from an article standpoint (to fit the narrative) – but it really doesn’t pass the smell test.
OR – in the next decade there will be an over supply of trees since after the recession and when 45 was at the helm – money was flowing so there must have been LOTS of planting.
Nothing wrong with a false tree. One gets more than their monies worth over time.