Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 12, 1993 TAG: 9312120028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Well, the 30-foot tree in Withers Park did not exactly belong to the singer-actress. And it is not exactly a Christmas tree.
Other than that, the story is true.
"No, that's not it," said Kitty Grady, the town's public relations director, when asked about the original version.
Houston's landscaper in Connecticut had arranged to have trees delivered, and this tree was one of those slated to go. But the site was not ready to take the trees on schedule, so delivery had to be delayed.
Meanwhile, the town was looking for a 30-foot tree and learned that this one was available from the Lady Di Tree Farm near Ararat in Patrick County.
Because it could not be sent for Christmas in Connecticut, the nursery arranged not only to deliver it to Wytheville but to plant it, as well.
"It's a nice community tree and we're real excited about it," Grady said. "We've got over 1,000 bulbs on it."
A tree-lighting ceremony was held Saturday evening, after a Christmas parade through Wytheville. The Withers Park activities also included a visit from Santa, music, and a live Nativity scene.
The tree was central to the activities, but, as for Houston's connection with all this, Grady said, "I don't know if she even knows about it."
Probably not, because the Lady Di trees were being sold to another dealer who is dealing directly with Houston's landscaper. Now, delivery of the trees to her property has been delayed until spring, said Lady Di owner Larry Ethier.
But this is not the first tree from the Lady Di farm that has wound up on the property of celebrities. Leona Helmsley and Mick Jagger have been among the other recipients, Ethier said.
"Actually, I don't deal with Christmas trees," he said. "I kind of did them [Wytheville] a favor."
The Lady Di farm has existed for two years, but Ethier has been in the tree business for 22 years.
Originally from Massachusetts, he moved to Virginia in the early 1980s.
He has 72 acres but also has about 100,000 trees under contract with other property owners to be sold for landscaping purposes.
The name of the tree farm was inspired by his wife, Diane - and also because he is a secret fan of Princess Di, he joked.
"If you put anything in the paper, please don't put Christmas trees. I don't want people calling me for Christmas trees."
by CNB