City having a blue (spruce) Christmas
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This year's Christmas tree in the Heritage Plaza in Downtown Altoona grew in the Grandview Heights backyard of Rod Gottshall.
The 19-foot-tall Blue Spruce began its journey 20 years ago, when Gottshall and his late wife, Cheryl, purchased it to decorate their back deck for their first Christmas season in their home. When spring came, they planted it in their backyard, where it's been growing in height and beauty.
Two years ago, Gottshall said he started to think about what to do with the tall pine as it was outgrowing its space. On one of his weekly strolls downtown, he thought about the tree tradition in Heritage Plaza.
"There's so much going on downtown with new businesses opening," he said, "We love to walk there and see what's going on. We thought it would be a perfect fit."
He was right, said Nate Kissell, director for the city of Altoona Public Works Department.
"We get calls starting in August from people who want to donate a tree to the plaza," he said. Usually, he and Patrick Miller, executive vice president of Altoona-Blair County Development Corp., view a suggested evergreen and make a decision.
This year, with a new pavilion in place at the plaza, Kissell said they didn't want to go too big, and Gottshall's pine fit the bill.
Gottshall, 63, who recently retired as a salesman for US Foods, walks through Downtown Altoona with his son, Rob, and Rob's daughters -- Jaiden and Kayla.
"We do what we call the 'WW' -- the Weekend Walk -- to Heritage Plaza." Gottshall supervised and followed the tree to where it was hoisted into place with a crane.
"It's been fun. I've been taking pictures the whole time and sending emails and texts to friends and families all over the country," he said. "The city workers have been fantastic. They've done a super job."
His niece, Marlena Flanagan, 43, now lives in Irwin, and isn't sure if she'll make it home to Altoona for Christmas. So, her Uncle Rod's texts, photos and emails have helped her close the miles and rekindle memories of her childhood in Altoona.
"Uncle Rod would decorate that tree every year ... until it got too big," she said. "He loves seeing everyone happy and seeing all the decorations and lights. Christmas is his favorite time of year. He is like his own elf. This is like a dream come true for him. He is so happy he gets to share his tree with the whole town."
All Gottshall wants is for "people to drive by and smile. If they get a smile out of seeing it, that'd be the best."
Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.