U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Visit Bozeman Public Library During 2015 Tour
People’s Tree Transported from Alaska to Washington D.C. by a REAL Ice Road Trucker
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOZEMAN, MT — For more than 50 years, a tree has graced the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. With great fanfare, the “People’s Tree” tree left the Chugach National Forest, Alaska on Oct. 27 followed by a caravan of caretakers for the journey to the U.S. Capitol, a journey that will bring the tree to Bozeman Monday, Nov. 9.
The 4,000 mile expedition from Seward, Alaska to Washington D.C. involves more than 15 communities along the way, including an appearance at the Bozeman Public Library on Nov. 9 at 12 p.m. (noon) and Lockhorn Cider House at 1pm. Community celebrations are being planned throughout the tour, culminating with the official tree lighting Dec. 2.
The 74’ foot tall Lutz Spruce is the first to come from Alaska and its delivery to the capitol has been entrusted to a real Alaskan hero. John Schank has driven nearly 5 million miles on the most challenging Highway in North America, Alaska’s Dalton Highway, without a single accident. Last year, he was named Driver of the Year by the Alaska Trucking Association for 37 years of safe driving on the treacherous route between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, AK – more than any driver in history.
Schank began driving for Alaska and Pacific Northwest trucking company Lynden Transport in 1975 with the construction of the trans-Alaska Pipeline. “John is a REAL ice road trucker. He’s driven nearly 5 million miles accident free and without any of the glamour and drama portrayed in the popular television show” says Bert Smith, regional manager of Lynden Transport’s sister company LTI Inc. in Bozeman. “He represents the best of America’s truck drivers who operate safely and professionally and keep the nation’s freight moving every day.”
The Capitol Christmas Tree or “People’s Tree” will be parked on Main Street in front of the Bozeman Public Library from noon to 2 p.m. this Monday, Nov. 9. The public is invited to meet John Schank, see the impressive tree loaded on the oversized 105-foot tractor-trailer, and sign a banner that will be displayed in Washington D.C. The Bozeman’s Children’s Library will have tree related children’s activities from noon to 1 p.m. Wrapping up the festivities is a community lunch just a block away at the Lockhorn Cider House with John and the Capitol Tree tour crew from 1 – 2 p.m.
“Driver John Schank is a bit of a local legend in Alaska, though he’s so soft spoken and humble, you wouldn’t know it,” says Lockhorn Cider House owner Anna Deal, originally from Alaska. “When we heard that John and the Capitol tree were coming through Montana, we jumped at the opportunity to help organize an event in Bozeman and to feed the crew. We are honored to have the REAL Ice Road Trucker and the Capitol Christmas tree visit Lockhorn Cider House on its way to Washington D.C.” LTI, Inc. delivers fresh pressed apple juice to the Lockhorn Cider House as well as fresh milk and other bulk commodity products throughout Montana and the Pacific Northwest.
Food donations will be accepted to benefit the Bozeman Food Bank at both the Bozeman Public Library and Lockhorn Cider House during the event.
For related news, events and tour information, and to track the tree cross-country, visit www.capitolchristmastree.com and on Facebook @ USCapitolChristmasTree, @ LockhornHardCider, @ BozemanPublicLibrary (#chugach2015 and #capitolchristmastree
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