by Geri McShane, assistant editor

Each one is as different as the people who created it.

The Christmas trees for the Albert Lea Art Center&8217;s annual Festival of Trees have been trimmed and are ready for the public to view. The official open house is today from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be refreshments and music.There is no admission charge, but donations are accepted to help defray Art Center costs.

The Festival of Trees will continue during regular gallery hours, Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The trees will remain up until Dec. 29.

Many organizations, businesses and individuals have decorated trees this year. Trees can be found in all three galleries and the hallway of the Art Center.

In the third gallery, or workshop, the Shades of Jade Regional Garden Club has used dried flowers and all natural materials to decorate its tree. There are roses, peonies, hydrangea blooms and much more on the tree. The club has also decorated another smaller tree in the hallway.

The Freeborn County Historical Museum decorated the large tree in the hallway and Beanie Babies. In the smaller gallery, the Montessori Children&8217;s House has used decorations made by the children. There&8217;s a tree featuring birds by the Audubon Society. Signature Real Estate has a tree with a patriotic theme. Mary Evans has decorated a tree with a nutcracker theme.

In the larger gallery, the American Legion Auxiliary has adorned its tree with poppies, red, white and blue bulbs and yellow ribbons. Pat Forman has created a tree with dolls and storybooks.

Others decorating trees include: The Hobby Shop, Lens and Shutter Photography Club, Thorne Crest Retirement Community, Lu Callstrom and Jean Park, the Artist Trading Card Club, Wa-tan-ye Service Club, Daylight Quilters, Story Lady Doll & Toy Museum, Mary Go Round Shoppe, American Association of University Women, Grapevine Twist Square Dance Club, Addies Floral & Gifts, Next Step Club House, American Red Cross, Scarlet Seniors, Woman-in-the-Shoe Doll Club, Audubon Science Center, Eloise Adams, Lenore Fries, The Stamp Studio, Esther Kanzenbach, Art Center board members and more.