The Dorfler family's 62-foot Norway spruce is secured onto a trailer Thursday before it's taken from Grayslake to Millennium Park in Chicago, where it will stand as the city's official Christmas tree.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
A living memory for generations of two Grayslake families was felled Thursday, but the sound of buzzing chain saws was met with pride rather than sadness.
The 62-foot Norway spruce removed from outside the Dorfler home on Garfield Boulevard was considered so beautiful that its destiny is to be decorated with 50,000 lights and displayed in Chicago's Millennium Park for the holidays.
Which is how the late Frank Dorfler wanted it.
“I can't really, you know, comprehend all the people who will see it,” said his widow, Darlene.
The spruce, chosen from 71 entries to serve as Chicago's official Christmas tree, was brought to Grayslake from northern Wisconsin about 75 years ago.
Darlene Dorfler and family members will be VIPs at the 104th Chicago Christmas tree lighting Nov. 17 — a date that carries added significance.
“That would have been our 55th wedding anniversary,” she said. “My husband would really enjoy this.”
Representatives from Chicago's Department Of Cultural Affairs And Special Events traveled to Grayslake for the tree cutting Thursday. Their requirements for idea city Christmas tree were that it be a spruce or fir; at least 55-feet tall; easily accessible; and located within 100 miles of the Loop.
“I'm not going to be sad,” Dorfler said. “I'm happy with what's going to happen.”
Workers secure a 62-foot Norway spruce onto a trailer Thursday before it is taken from Grayslake to Millennium Park in Chicago, where it will stand as the city's official Christmas tree.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
A crane lowers the Dorfler's 62-foot Norway spruce onto a trailer Thursday. The Grayslake family donated the tree to the city of Chicago, where it will serve as the city's official Christmas tree. A lighting ceremony is set for Nov. 17.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Cesar Hernandez cuts down 62-foot Norway spruce from outside the Grayslake home of the Dorfler family. The tree was selected from 71 entries to stand as Chicago's Christmas tree this season.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Workers secure ropes Thursday to a 62-foot Norway spruce donated by a Grayslake family to Chicago, for use as the city's official Christmas tree.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Darlene Dorfler of Grayslake believes her husband, Frank, who died in September 2016, would be happy that their 62-foot Norway spruce will be Chicago's Christmas tree this season.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Darlene Dorfler of Grayslake is happy that her 62-foot Norway spruce will be Chicago's Christmas tree this season.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com