4661 Yale Bridge Rd • Rockton, IL 61072 • 815-624-7579 • 800-423-6635 •
T
hese words, from a popular
Christmas song, help us
anticipate the coming season. A time when
sparkling snowflakes drift lazily to the ground.
The pristine snow covered landscape reminds us
of all that is pure, lovely and new. As 2012 draws
to a close, with all its blessings,
challenges and everything in
between, we eagerly anticipate
the holiday season. The chance to
gather with family and friends to
celebrate all this joyous season has
to offer. Candle lit services, driving
through the starlit night looking
at all the twinkling lights, singing
Christmas carols, sending out
cards, and the baking of delicious
treats. Shopping for that special
gift, and dreaming up yummy
menus for our festive gatherings.
Watching the delight of a toddler on
Christmas morning asking, “How
did Santa get down the chimney?”,
or “Do reindeer really fly?” The bell
ringer at the Mall, standing in the
frigid weather for coins dropped in
the bucket, to help others have the opportunity
to celebrate the season. Cuddling with family
watching classic Christmas movies and munching
on popcorn, which is supposed to be strung
for the tree, but is too tempting... Taking those
moments to make special decorations, memories
and nurture our relationships. We delight in a
season that celebrates life, the life of a baby born
in a manager, the life we share with our family,
friends and even reaching out to strangers.
www.williamstreefarm.com
Williams Tree Farm and family are anxiously awaiting
your visit. The Lodge is really looking like a Winter Wonder
Land. Treasures and Trims gift shop is dressed up with icicles,
sparkling snowflakes and dancing shades of white, with a
gigantic snowman to greet you. We know his name should
be Frosty, but we call him Charlie... Little drifts of snow,
frosty windows, sparkling wreaths and icy
trims, add to the shimmering winter scene.
Unusual tree shapes will add to the fun of
visiting the gift shop.
A fire in the fireplace will help chase
away the chill. Hot coca, wassail, a delicious
coffee or soup to savor and enjoy also brings
a wonderful warmth. Scrumptious fudge,
frosted nuts or even a warm pretzel are
there to tempt your taste buds.
Outside the Lodge, children line up
to visit with Santa, waiting with eager
anticipation, the air filled with the poignant
smell of evergreen and the laughter of
the young and young at heart as they
venture through the Blizzard. When Santa
is away, drop your letter to him in our
huge mail box.
Wreaths, trees and holiday decorations
await your shopping pleasure. The horses
are ready to pull wagons through the fields and the animals are
anxious for your attention. We take joy in being a part of your
traditions. We love to watch the kids as they experience the
awe of Christmas, we love seeing family and friends enjoying
the farm, whether it be a snowball fight or just quietly sitting
by the fire. Our crew loves this season as we are honored to
be a part of your Christmas celebration. We would like to take
this opportunity to wish you a Thanksgiving full of gratefulness,
a Christmas full of laughter, joy and memories, and a most
blessed of New Years!
CATCH THE WONDERFUL SPIRIT OF THE SEASON AT WILLIAMS TREE FARM!
We have a few new critters around the
farm. We have a new baby reindeer named
Dancer. She loves people and you might
even catch her drinking a bottle of milk
while you are here. We have a special
area with bunnies that kids can go to pet
the bunnies. A new miniature donkey,
ducks, and a pony add to the furry farm
family. All the animals and dogs are anxious to visit with you. We are also excited that we have arranged for a wallaby
to join the farm next year, so the crazy
critter adventure will continue to grow.
Critter Crazy
We Are Blessed!
This was a rough year weather
wise and though we lost many
seedlings (baby trees), our mature
trees are doing well. We made several
trips through the Midwest this fall
for supplies and such and saw many
areas that were not as fortunate as
we were, so we are very grateful for
“our wet old farm” to be able to say
the trees survived! We have already
ordered double the seedlings for next
year. Hopefully with more intense
agricultural practices and
some irrigation, we will
hardly notice the loss in
10 years or so, when this
year’s seedling were to be
harvested. We are glad to
put this growing season
behind us and look
toward the future.
The Name Is...
Last year we had a contest for the
naming of the gift shop, it has been a
difficult debate on which name to choose,
there were so many great suggestions.
Since the debate continues, we don’t
have a name yet. You can still make
suggestions via our web site. Watch for
an announcement during the season.
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook
to keep up to date.
New For 2012
Dancer the Reindeer,
Bunnies Galore, Kettle Corn,
Kiddie Train spruce up,
South Side remodel. New
soups, crazy decorations in the Lodge and
Gift shop, don’t forget to bring your letter to
Santa for our North Pole Mailbox. Fun tree
loading demos, new wreath designs. The list
goes on, but hopefully enough of the old
traditions to blend with the new, to make
your visit all that you want it to be.
2012 In Review
What a year! We started the year with a building project, we
added a new storage/shop building by the horse barn. The winter
flew by. In March a group of us, our sister in law and niece from
Arizona, as well as Don, Karen, Brad, Eli, their daughter Terra and
Mike one of the young men that helps during tree season, made a
trip to Kenya to renew relationships and create new ones. It was
a great trip, with Terra being named The Great Traveler, since
she did so well on the trip. Then it was home to hit the ground
farming, planting seedlings etc. The lack of rain was hard on the
seedlings, but we are so proud of our tree shearers that hung in
there this summer to shape the trees despite the record breaking
heat. Listening to stories from Shawn, who has helped at the farm
for 25 years. He told about taking his children wilderness canoeing
just like Great Grandpa took his kids, and in turn we took Shawn
along with our children. Another tree farm tradition! Weddings
and events throughout the summer and then it is fall again, kids
heading back to school and time to gear up for Christmas. Harvest
of crops, getting the farm ready for your visit, the joy of learning
more grandchildren are on the way, taste testing treats, anticipating
puppies, greeting our employees who are anxious to come back
and get ready. Brainstorming decorating ideas and themes,
decorating our homes and trying to shop early this year... 2012
year will mark a milestone 60th birthday for Ron, where does the
time go. Getting ready for Thanksgiving, when our family gathers
in the Lodge to celebrate, along with visiting with you and selling
trees, a four year old birthday to celebrate, there is so much to be
thankful for. This year did seem to fly by, but we are so excited
about the Christmas season and visiting with you once again.
We have two challenges for you, one,
bring a wrapped gift for children or a food
item to be give to the local shelter, and two,
encourage people to sign up for our mailing
list and enter our Great Christmas Giveaway.
Tapestry
Tree Shopping Hints
If you are a person that loves to go out and
cut your tree from the field, here are some helpful hints. Bring along a measuring tape or even
a stick to get a perspective on size. If not that,
at least use your body to get a feel if you want a
tree as wide as your arm span, smaller or wider
etc. Do you want a tree as tall as you, double
your height... Remember trees look much smaller
in the field. Also, please feel free to cut a tree
off at any distance up from the ground if it has a
bottom that is missing branches or has flaws. If
you purchase a precut tree, the same size hints
apply. Also, when you get your tree home, don’t
forget to take a fresh cut. When transporting your
tree, if you load your tree on
top of your car, always put the
stump end toward the front or if
you are loading your tree in the
trunk put the stump toward the
driver’s side so that any excess
is not pointed into oncoming
traffic. Then water, water, water
your tree once you put it up.
The tree drinks the most water
when you first get it home, so
check the water often.
This year has brought new friends to our path. This past
summer we met a couple who are missionaries to Honduras
who were back in the area to raise support and awareness.
They told us that one of the last things they did before
leaving to settle in Honduras was to visit Williams Tree Farm
for a tree to celebrate with family before they embarked on
their new adventure. Much the same story of the
Dellamaters before they left for
Kenya. There seems to be a theme
here. We hit it off and are planning
a trip to help them in their ministry
in February. We are excited about
this new opportunity. It is mind
blowing to us that the budget they
have for all four churches with
Honduran pastors is $10,000 total
for the year. We will be helping
with the different churches, doing
plumbing, electrical work etc.
Anything that we can offer will have
a big impact. Then this fall a truck
and trailer pulled in to the farm and
Thought for the
a couple got out to talk to us. They are Woody and Carol
Goebbert who owned Goebberts Farm Market near Arlington
Season...
Heights before retiring. They too had been in the tree
business for many years, so we had lots and lots of fun
You never grow up
sharing stories. They have many Christmas cutouts that they
till you lose
used to display at their business. They really wanted us to
all your marvels
have them to continue the tradition they started many many
years ago. So you will see larger than life Santas, Snowmen,
—author unknown
Reindeer and more throughout the farm. If those signs
could talk, they would speak of the many memories
of families celebrating the season at Goebbert’s. We
hope they add to your enjoyment and memories here
at the tree farm.
2 cups sugar
2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
1 small jar each of
applesauce, carrot and
2 cups flour
either apricot or peach.
2
tsp
Cinnamon
This past summer marked our 10th year of
putting on a summer youth camp. With the
Mix all ingredients together well. Pour into a greased
help of our church, other churches, family and
and floured 10 x 15 jelly roll pan. Bake at 375 degrees
friends, we host a free week long day camp for
for 25 minutes.
at risk youth. We invite children from 2nd
Frosting: 1/3 cup soft margarine, 3 oz cream cheese, 1
grade, up through high school from local schools
tsp vanilla, 1 cup powdered sugar. Mix all ingredients
to come spend a fun, fellowship filled week at
together and spread on cooled bars.
The Farm. This year was one of the best. We
Our daughter in law Taylor is a family career and
had the most campers ever and were especially
consumer science teacher and this is a recipe that she
blessed to have some of our older campers come
loves to teach her students, I think especially because it
be volunteers. Though it was hot, it truly was
makes them think out of the box regarding ingredients.
the best!! We are looking forward to getting
We
like that she shares the leftovers with us- yum! yum!
together with the campers again at the Outdoor
Outreach Christmas Party, in December.
BABY FOOD BARS
Outdoor Outreach
Creating Holiday Memories
for Over 60 Years!
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
Gift Shop • Cabin Café • Candy Corner
Fudge • Maze • Horse-drawn Hayrides
Cut Your Own Christmas Trees
Pre-selected Trees • Wreaths
Pony Rides, and Santa Visits on Weekends
• Kiddie Train • Reindeer • Camel
Night Time Cut Your Own
OPEN DAILY: 8 AM TO 8 PM
Shop Early, before Thanksgiving and receive a
FREE Williams Tree Farm Ornament
with your purchase of $35.00 or more,
limit one per family please.
Best Selection for 2012
The south side of the farm is the place to
go for the best selection of cut you own trees
this year. We will have signs to direct you, a new
baler, free hot chocolate, a bonfire and festive
decorations to spread the Christmas cheer. After
you get your tree be sure to cross the road to
visit the gift shop, cafe, children’s farm and more
to not miss out on all the farm has to offer.
Visit us at williamstreefarm.com for
our calendar of special events
4661 YALE BRIDGE RD. • ROCKTON, IL 61072
1-800-423-NOEL
WWW.WILLIAMSTREEFARM.COM
~ NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 1 & 2, 2012 ~
HORSES
Weekdays Noon - 4:30 pm
Weekends 8 am - 4:30 pm
SANTA VISITS
Nov. 23rd, 24th, & 25th
Dec. 1st, 2nd, 8th, & 9th
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Pony And Trail Rides Most Weekends
(Weekend hours only prior to Thanksgiving)
CABIN CAFE
Weekdays 10 am - 7 pm
Weekends 8 am - 7:30 pm
*No Cafe on Thanksgiving
OPEN THANKSGIVING DAY
8:00 am - 4:00 pm*
~ OPEN DAILY 8 AM - 8 PM ~
Open for the Season
November 10th
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace
May the gladness of Christmas give you hope
May the promise of Christmas grant you love
www.williamstreefarm.com
4661 Yale Bridge Rd
Rockton, IL 61072
815-624-7579 • 800-423-6635
ROCKFORD, IL
PERMIT NO. 858
PAID
PRESORT STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE