The following article was written by Barbara Bundy-Jost, the President of Manitowoc Aluminum Kitsch-mas Inc.
When babies are born, we celebrate! We gush and gurgle strange sounds to wondrous new humans who have no idea what we’re saying, who we are, or how they fit into this bright new place! It’s a big celebration of life. Birth brings home the importance of the glorious miracle of life. Like new flowers and greenery in the spring, the gift of life warms our hearts and spurs us even more ardently to care for those around us.
I remember when my first child was “en route.” I was beside myself with worry about what my body was going through! How was my precious treasure—growing bigger and BIGGER inside me—going to fit through such a small opening when the time came? My mother assured me that women had been birthing babies for thousands of years and I would survive. Of course, she was right. I survived.
To be honest, I wasn’t alone. My man was actively involved in our family “expansion project.” Together, we rounded out our physiques and HO, HO, HOed with the best of them. As my discomfort and waistline grew, innovations occurred that greatly eased my situation. It enlightened me! Okay—men don’t use a womb to do the birthing thang, but that brain of theirs does labor and give birth to some stellar ideas!
Look at Henry Ford and his automobile or Steve Jobs’ Apple Computer! Locally we celebrate Richard Thompson, Tom Gannon, Wes Martin, Jerry Waack and Steve Siehr! These local gents were important in birthing an idea that makes this town sparkle every holiday season! Their “labors” put Manitowoc on the map over sixty years ago and we still bask in the enchantment of what they brought forth from their “brain womb” with our annual “Evergleams on Eighth” display.
Richard, Tom, Wes, and .Jerry introduced Aluminum Specialty’s Evergleam tree to the public in 1959. Mid Mod and hot sellers, the Evergleam trees came in a variety of styles, sizes and colors to delight modern, Space-Age thinkers for over ten years! Eventually, the trees moved on to dumpsters, rummage/estate sales and thrift shops. The trees lost their way until a pair of local photographers recognized the importance of these “babies” and published a book, showcasing their beauty. That’s when Steve Siehr entered the picture and gave birth to a “brainchild “of an idea!
Coming home to Manitowoc each holiday to celebrate Christmas with family, Steve got to know Lisa from the Antique Mall and started collecting Aluminum Specialty’s Evergleam trees. Once his collection grew, he’d pop into downtown stores asking about the possibility of showcasing an Evergleam tree in their windows to celebrate an historically significant piece of Manitowoc’s manufacturing history. Eventually he met Cathy Karl, the midwife to his brilliant idea.
Barb Bundy-Jost
Because of Steve’s “brainchild”, we celebrate the dazzling Evergleam tree in all its glorious iterations in over forty store windows throughout Historic DowntownManitowoc! The annual Evergleams on Eighth event brings people from different parts of the country to view the display and enjoy the hospitality that our community offers. Steve introduced us to Fran, a hometown girl who grew up in Manitowoc. Frankie’s Forest was born because of Fran’s Evergleam collection. How fortunate we are that Fran shares her collection in the Enchanted Evergleams display at Manitowoc Public Library. Every year the Library glows, sparkles, and generates a Holiday Spirit Ripple Effect throughout the city. This year, the Library corner will sparkle from November 22, 2023, through January 7, 2024, during all regular operating hours.
It’s important to know that Steve and Fran may have grown up and moved away from Manitowoc, but home is where their hearts are—especially at this time of the year. It warms their heart to know that the place where they were birthed dazzles each holiday season due in large part to the fruits of their labor.
