the tree of lights

While driving past Carillon Park, another sight indicates the change of seasons from fall to winter, Thanksgiving to Christmas. 

The Deeds Carillon is a Dayton landmark and the largest musical instrument in Ohio.

 Quick history lesson...Edward Andrew Deeds was an American engineer, inventor, and industrialist prominent in the Dayton, Ohio area. He was the president of the National Cash Register Company and together with Charles F. Kettering, founded Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO), an early innovator in automotive technology. His wife, Edith Walton Deeds, was inspired by the church bell towers (carillons) she had visited in Belgium. On her return to Ohio, she wanted to have a bell tower for people to enjoy, bought three acres of land by the Miami River, and funded the building of the carillon tower. She oversaw its construction and was the first to play the carillon when it was completed. The bells are now electronic and strike at the hour. Occasionally musicians (carillonneurs) go into the tower and play music for free concerts.

The largest musical instrument in Ohio is also home to the Tree of Lights, where the bell tower is transformed into a massive illuminated tree during the holiday season. 20,000 lights are strung from the top of the tower creating a giant Christmas tree seen from many vantage points around the Dayton area. The wires are now in place and the light stringers will be busy the next few days anchoring the old fashioned looking but LED bulb lights on the wires that come together at the top of the tree. 

Get ready for a few posts of this tree. I visit it at least once a week during the holidays.

💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜

Also, happy birthday to my daughter-in-law Jennifer. I am so grateful for all the joy and happiness you have brought to our family. And thank you for the beautiful, most joyous gift of grandparenthood. I love you.