Manitowoc’s Evergleams On Eighth returns on Thanksgiving Eve, and more news in weekly dose

Brandon Reid, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
·7 min read

MANITOWOC — More than 40 downtown Manitowoc storefront windows will be “aluminized” this holiday season when Evergleams On Eighth returns from Thanksgiving Eve through the first weekend after the New Year.

More than 40 different sizes, styles and colors of vintage aluminum Christmas trees return home to the city where they were manufactured for their Christmas debut in 1959 — more than 60 years ago.

Several collectors will be sharing their Evergleam and Evergreen trees. They are avid collectors of all things Evergleam, the brand name used by Aluminum Specialty Company. Their combined collections number more than 300 aluminum trees, including some very seldom seen and rare varieties. Numerous color wheels and rotating tree stands, also commonly used with the trees during the early 1960s when the trees were most popular, are also included in the display.

An Evergleam aluminum tree decorated as it would've been in the 1960s.
An Evergleam aluminum tree decorated as it would've been in the 1960s.

In addition to the many aluminum trees being displayed in the businesses, several favorites are returning this year.

Manitowoc Public Library, 707 Quay St., will be “All Things Gleaming,” where the main floors will display Frankie’s Forest of aluminum trees. You’ll also find a “photo op” area that will take visitors back to a 1960s family living room. Several displays will feature Mirro Aluminum Company products, including everyday items like copper-tone lines and a collection of Medallion Ware, on loan from the Manitowoc County Historical Society. Special items from the National Tinsel Co. are also featured among the displays.

There will be extended hours to view the library displays a half hour before each of the “Trolley to the Trees,” where passengers will board at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 or 16, or for walking tours Dec. 1, 8 or 15. All details can be found at Evergleams.org.

A group gathers to hear about the history of the Evergleam Aluminum tree.
A group gathers to hear about the history of the Evergleam Aluminum tree.

Additional programs at the library include:

  • “Paging Dr. Evergleam Restoration Program” — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Balkansky Room; and

  • “Sparkle! The History of Aluminum Trees” — 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7 (in person) and Dec. 14 (virtual).

Special fun this year will be a Gleaming Gala at Holla restaurant, 603 York St., Manitowoc, the evening of Dec. 9. Tickets for the event, which will have music, hors d’oeuvres, beverages and an Evergleam Tree Auction, can be purchased at Evergleams.org or at Heart & Homestead, 909 S. Eighth St., downtown Manitowoc. Special room rates are available at The Inn on Maritime Bay for that weekend, too.

The displays can be viewed through Jan. 7, 2024. Maps showing the locations of many of the trees will be available at any place there is a tree, at Evergleams.org or on the Evergleams On Eighth Facebook page.

Evergleams history: Manitowoc Evergleam aluminum Christmas trees: 'It’s amazing how the whole thing took off'

Welcome to your weekly dose. Here is more news from throughout Manitowoc County.

Chamber accepting nominees for Awards of Distinction

The marquee of the Capital Civic Center glows with the Awards of Distinction, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Manitowoc, Wis.
The marquee of the Capital Civic Center glows with the Awards of Distinction, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Manitowoc, Wis.

Chamber of Manitowoc County is accepting nominees for its annual Awards of Distinction.

Nominations are due by Nov. 30 and can be made online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JH3RYWH. Winners will be announced at the Awards of Distinction ceremony Feb. 8, 2024.

Categories include the following:

  • Athena Award: Recognizes an individual for professional achievement and community service, and for actively and generously assisting women in their attainment of professional and leadership skills.

  • Collaboration Award: Recognizes initiatives, programs, events or activities that require collaborative efforts of two or more non-profit organizations in the community that may include government, business, education, service groups, the elderly, or other groups working together to promote a strong economy and quality of life in Manitowoc County.

  • Education Impact Award: Recognizes an exceptionally dedicated educator who impacted parents, students or the community beyond the scope of the classroom in 2023 while integrating business and community resources to enhance student learning opportunities.

  • Joseph P. Schmitt “Speak-Up” Award: Established more than 25 years ago to honor the late chamber executive, this award recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the quality of life for citizens of Manitowoc County over a period of time.

  • Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award: Recognizes a non-profit organization for its dedication to the community in 2023.

  • Healthy Workplace Award: Recognizes a Chamber member business/organization or program for its focus and commitment to promoting health, wellness or safety in the community.

  • Small Business of the Year Award: Recognizes a Manitowoc County small business (up to 25 employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2023.

  • Large Business/Industry of the Year Award: Recognizes a Manitowoc County large business/industry (26-plus employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2023.

Lakeshore UMC hosting cookie walk, craft sale Dec. 2

Lakeshore United Methodist Church, 411 Reed Ave., will host a cookie walk, as well a craft and woodworking sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2.

Pick up some sweet treats for friends, or find that special gift or decoration for the holiday season. Exceptional handmade wooden toys will be available.

For more information, call 920-682-6311.

Lakeshore Wind Ensemble to present ‘Festival of Christmas — Hollywood Holidays’ Dec. 2

The Lakeshore Wind Ensemble
The Lakeshore Wind Ensemble

Lakeshore Wind Ensemble’s “Festival of Christmas — Hollywood Holidays” concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Capitol Civic Centre, 913 S. Eighth St.

Celebrate Christmas with the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble. Enjoy traditional Christmas music, a children’s choir, audience sing-a-long and favorites from Hollywood movies including “The Polar Express,” “A White Christmas,” “Frozen,” “Christmas Vacation” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Conductor Jeremiah Eis will lead the show with guest narrator Tom Zalaski.

Tickets can be purchased at cccshows.org or by calling the Capitol box office at 920-683-2184.

St. Anne Parish offers drive-through chili pick-up Dec. 2 and 3

St. Anne Parish in Francis Creek will hold a drive-through chili pick-up before and after the 6 p.m. Mass Dec. 2 and from 9 a.m. until the chili is sold out Dec. 3.

Pick-up will be at the Parish Hall, 202 S. Packer Drive, Francis Creek. Cost is $7 per quart. People are asked to bring their own containers, if possible.

The event is sponsored by the Christian Mothers & Altar Society and supported by Catholic Financial Life Chapter 86.

Roncalli to present Christmas program Dec. 2-3

Manitowoc Roncalli High School building.
Manitowoc Roncalli High School building.

Roncalli High School, 2000 Mirro Drive, Manitowoc, will hold its annual Christmas Variety Show, “Amen,” with performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in the school’s Fine Arts Center’s Zimmer Auditorium.

The public is invited to attend. Admission is free with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors to the Fine Ars Center open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Performances will feature Roncalli’s choirs and bands, along with theatrical skits.

Boys & Girls Club offers two ways to give this holiday season

Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County is offering a pair of opportunities for people to give during the holiday season.

The first invites people to support the club through its Matching Gift Challenge. People who give now through Dec. 31 will have donations matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, thanks to the generosity of two local families.

The second is buying gifts to be distributed to club member families as part of the Joy of Giving campaign. A wish list can be found at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ADAA28A6FACE9-joyofgiving#/. Gifts can be returned to the Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County, 3651 Dewey St., Manitowoc, by Dec. 12. Wrapping is appreciated, but not required. A drop-off box will be open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays.

For more details, contact Callie at 920-905-5544, email cbrice@bgcmanitowoccounty.org or go to bgcmanitowoccounty.org.

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Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Evergleams On Eighth displays aluminum Christmas trees to Manitowoc