KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Keystone Heights Heritage Commission recently made 40 vintage Christmas wreaths for the downtown businesses door.

The wreaths were one of the committee’s many projects planned to unite the community. The simple, yet elegant design was inspired by an image Nina Rodenroth, Chair of the Keystone Heights Heritage Commission found.

“We had to come up with a design that I thought fit what our mission is with the organization and something that fits also with the city and the décor they were going to put out,” she said.

The goal of the project was to present a sense of cohesiveness and connectivity within the community. In addition, the committee wanted to show their support to the city and have a presence within the community.

“I pitch these ideas, but I never know how well they are going to go. But stepping back and seeing a pile of them all lined up, done, ready to go in a box, the girls working feverishly to get them all done, Christmas music playing, a lot of laughing, cutting up and all that, it just really brought it to me a full circle that this was a really positive event,” Rodenroth said.

After the wreaths were completed, the committee delivered them to the business owners the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

The overall outcome of the project was a success as business owners and the Keystone Heights City Council members were pleased with the wreaths. Due to the success of the wreaths, the heritage committee is considering expanding the experience to the community next year.

It may consider increasing the number of wreaths to include businesses within the city limits and not just the downtown area.

“I’m really proud of what we did,” Rodenroth said.

Once the season is over, the Keystone Heights Heritage Commission will recollect the wreaths and store them for next year.