Wishing tree returns

For the third year, one of downtown Homewood’s trees will be turned into a place for residents to share their wishes and goals for the New Year.

Wishing Tree coordinator Kirsten Morrow said the tree will be decorated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 14. Typically, a group of residents covers the tree in front of the Trak Shak on 18th Street South with yarn, lights and a “Wishing Tree” sign the day after Christmas.

A box of yarn, tags and markers is left near the tree for passersby to fill out and hang on the tree. There are also plastic bags to keep the tags safe from any post-Christmas rain or snow.

The hundreds of tags on the tree range from prayers to goals or anything else Homewood residents want to add. Last year’s anonymous tags ranged from the serious — “I wish for people to show love before anger” — to the simple — “I want to ride a bike.”

To learn more, find the Homewood Wishing Tree on Facebook.