With Thanksgiving now past, many people will begin to put up Christmas trees. Several local organizations are selling ornaments for these trees to highlight local places and people.

Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce

This year the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce has a new ornament that employees hope will be as successful as last year’s.

The chamber had its first ornament made last year. The decoration, called “Clock on the Block,” featured the clock on Main Street. Betty Ann Collins, president of the chamber, said the ornament did much better than expected.

Collins said they originally had planned to have the ornament made as a gift for city commissioners, but people found out about it and wanted them also.

Last year the chamber had to reorder the ornament four times, selling more than 500.

This year’s limited series porcelain ornament focuses on Mount Airy’s 125th year as an incorporated town. A rendered sketch of downtown Mount Airy will appear on the front, with the words “from 1885 to 2010.”

Collins said the 125-year theme was picked because next year there will be several celebrations of the anniversary.

“This will kick off next year’s celebration,” she said.

The back of the ornament tells a little of the history of Mount Airy. The ornament is round and flat, is trimmed in 22-carat gold, and comes in a gift box.

“I’m so excited about getting this in,” said Collins. “It’s something that will be a keepsake.”

The chamber has been selling in advance of their arrival. They cost $15. Collins said 500 have been ordered. They should get in sometime this coming week. A limited number of last year’s ornament also will be available.

To reserve an ornament call the chamber at 786-6116.

Mount Airy Museum of

Regional History

The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History has been coming out with Christmas ornaments for several years. But this year the museum director plans to sell ornaments already in stock instead of making a new one.

“We’ve got an ample supply of ornaments from years past,” said Matt Edwards, director of the museum.

Nine different ornaments will be for sale. Each of the ornaments is brass and comes in velveteen-lined carrying cases.

The ornaments are not dated by year. They feature scenes of area churches, buildings, and locations, such as Pilot Mountain or the Andy Griffith Playhouse.

The price of the ornaments has been reduced to $12. Edwards said this is the first time they have reduced the price on ornaments.

Edwards said the museum over-ordered the ornaments in the past to get good deals on bulk rates. Instead of making new ornaments in coming years, Edwards hopes to sell all of the built-up merchandise instead.

Ornaments may be purchased in the museum shop of the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History in downtown Mount Airy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care

Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care is selling an ornament for families touched by hospice who want to honor or memorialize their loved ones this year.

The 2009 commemorative ornament bears the inscription “Preserving a legacy ... treasuring memories.”

The ornament is made of gem-cut glass with a design of red poinsettias and the Mountain Valley logo. Each one is tagged with the memorial name and is gift-boxed.

The cost for the ornament is $20. Sales of the ornament will be used by the center to help client families who do not have insurance.

People can now order the ornaments, which will be available for pick-up on or after Dec. 18. They can be picked up at Mountain Valley’s offices in Mount Airy, Elkin, Yadkin, or Galax, Va. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Buyers may also choose to display their ornaments on a holiday tree at one of Mountain Valley’s offices.

For more information, call 1-800-789-2922 or visit www.mtnvalleyhospice.org.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.