A lovely spruce from the Menzels of Washington Street to grace Friday tree lighting

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Department of Public Works has selected the 2023 Christmas Tree for the Downtown Holiday display. This year the tree will be donated by the Menzel family at 298 Washington St. The Menzel's tree is a beautiful spruce that stands about 30 feet tall.

Mr. Menzel said that the family purchased their home in 1984, and the spruce was planted around 1989 by their son Adam and his two siblings after they brought home saplings home from school during an Arbor Day celebration.

Menzel said he and his family have enjoyed the tree over the years, but it has now grown to an unsustainable size. He said that his family appreciates their community and all the wonderful friendships they have made here. He noted that he and his family make this donation as this is a time when all of our community could benefit from gestures of unity and joy.

On Nov. 15, Save a Tree Company of Rochester donated their staff time and equipment to transport the tree to Central Square. Save a Tree personnel that helped included Richard Sevigny, Chad Demers, Michael Bowles, AJ McKee, and Rob Gorden who all assisted the DPW with removing the tree from the Washington Street property and helped to erect it in its traditional spot on Central Square.

The DPW staff that transported and assisted in getting the tree perfectly placed were Paul Michaud, Joe Sanborn, Scott Richey, Josh Roseberry, Freeman Sprague and Richard Wentworth.

This year's decorations were made by the Monarch School Students, the YMCA Daycare Program, and the Rochester Elementary School Students. The Monarch School Students will also assist the DPW Staff in trimming the tree this week.

Rochester's holiday festivities kick off with the Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday followed by the city's grand parade on Sunday.