An empty lift sits amid holiday decorations in front of the Nevada Capitol in downtown Carson City on Nov. 30, 2023.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
As light snow flurried over downtown Carson City on Thursday morning, an empty lift sat in front of the Capitol. Most of the annual holiday decorations had already been installed. A couple of workers finished up on the southwest corner. There was a hush over the streetscape as if in anticipation of the Silver and Snowflakes event planned for Friday night.
A few blocks south, directly east of the Ormsby House, two Carson City brothers, Scott and John Trotter, manned the annual Christmas tree lot for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The organization works with young athletes in Carson City and surrounding communities, providing everything from uniforms to transportation, Scott Trotter said.
Proceeds from the Christmas trees benefit those athletes. The FCA also has a Christmas tree lot in downtown Gardnerville, and an ongoing raffle helps supply Christmas gifts for children in need, Trotter said.
“It really is a good cause, these kids in this community,” he said.
Trotter has been working the tree lot the last several years. He spoke with a kind of relish about the different sizes of tree — from 3 feet to 16 feet — and the types of firs available: Noble, Nordmann, Fraser and Douglas.
“The Frasers are new, like a silver-tipped Noble,” he said. “We set up right before Thanksgiving. We’ve already sold roughly 400 trees.”
The lot had just been replenished by a shipment from Oregon, Trotter explained. At the rate business was going, he expected a third shipment soon.
“Doug firs smell the best,” Trotter maintained.
However, he emphasized whatever tree people choose, they’re all freshly cut, ready for a home.
For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/liftchristmastrees/.