Wreath-making is under way in several Downeast locations, a sure sign that the holidays are beginning. The wreath‑making season runs from November first until about December 15.
     Artie Mingo of Mingo's Evergreen Products of Red Beach expects a good holiday season, and he notes that orders have been great. "We have 25 people making wreaths, decorating and packing them, and one worker has been with Mingo's for 30 years."
     Mingo says the quality of tips is good. "We had sun when we needed sun and rain when we needed rain, and the tips have a good green color." He notes that last year there were three snowstorms in November, creating a challenge in gathering tips.
     Mingo's has a smaller group of workers in Eastport making wreaths and also the signature ribbon wreaths for Wreaths for Hope, an organization started by Mingo's that supports funding for cancer research through partnerships with other groups to help raise money and bring awareness to cancer‑related causes and patient programs and services.      The workers are using a small space formerly occupied by Tex-Shield on Toll Bridge Road.
     About a dozen wreath-makers are presently working in the Quoddy Village shop, but the number may increase to 20 later on. The work may continue to the second or third week of December. Tonia Smith, who is managing the shop for Mingo's, notes that wreath-making has a ripple effect on the economy, with those gathering tips, truck drivers and others all benefiting. "It provides a lot of income this time of year," she says. "We're using what we have in Washington County to generate some income."
     Smith also points out that wreath-making is a tradition that is passed on in some families from generation to generation, including her own, with three generations of her family working at the shop. Smith learned how to make wreaths from her grandfather, Clifton Smith Sr., and notes that her grandmother, Frances Smith, could make 200 wreaths a day while also caring for nine children. Last year, Smith made wreaths at her home for Mingo's. She notes, though, that there are not as many hand-makers today as there used to be.
     David Whitney, CEO of Whitney Wreath, started his company in 1988 with 247 wreath-makers while he was in college. The company observes its 27th anniversary this year. Whitney has built his business into one of the largest balsam distributors, supplying balsam products to many companies. Whitney Wreath maintains facilities in Whitneyville, Alexander, Presque Isle and Cape Breton.
     Whitney also remembers last year's weather and is pleased that this year has been relatively dry. "We have purchased more tips this year than we have in recent years, and the quality is excellent," comments Whitney. He also says, "The quality of our workers is excellent."
     Worcester Wreath Company, with headquarters in Columbia Falls, is one of the largest wreath‑makers. Morrill Worcester started the business in 1971 while he was a sophomore at the University of Maine at Orono. It is a family business with four of his children involved in the business. Worcester notes the orders are coming in stronger than last year. "The quality of the tips is excellent. It is the best wreath material that I can remember," comments Worcester. His company employs a workforce of 450 people.
     Robert Dore of Dore's Evergreen in Perry says, "We are doing fine and getting plenty of brush. It is a busy year, and we are plugging away." Dore joins the other wreath-makers in stressing that the weather cooperated this year, a big factor in having quality wreaths. Dore's Evergreen employs 50 to 60 tippers and about the same number of wreath-makers.
     Herbert and Kathy Bishop of the Lake Road in Perry have a tree farm that not only supplies Christmas trees but also large and small Christmas baskets and kissing balls that can be found at the local IGA store. Kathy continues to expand items that can be found at their tree farm. There are tree skirts, Christmas quilts, table runners and some centerpieces. "We just do a little bit of everything," comments Kathy. They have been running the operation for 16 years, getting their thousands of balsam tips from their own property.