BERLIN, N.H. (AP) - Special Olympians from the Berlin area have created ornaments for New Hampshire’s tree that will be part of the National Christmas display outside the White House this year.
The Androscoggin River Athletes of the Special Olympics-New Hampshire worked with sculptor and painter Andre Belanger and several artist assistants to make a dozen New Hampshire-inspired ornaments that include images of gifts, snowmen, winter landscapes and lots of snow.
“Before we started making the ornaments, we discussed the beauty found in northern New Hampshire and how it makes us feel to live in such a lovely part of the world,” Belanger said. “The ornaments capture the spirit of our state as seen through the hearts of the Olympians who breathe New Hampshire’s crisp winter air.”
The 93rd annual National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. New Hampshire’s tree will be one of 56 trees - representing each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia - that will surround the National Christmas Tree.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting began on Christmas Eve in 1923 with President Calvin Coolidge.
But before that, New Hampshire’s Franklin Pierce, 14th president of the United States, became the first president to place a Christmas tree in the White House, in 1856.
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