• Article Photo. Izaak Walton volunteers pose with the wreaths they have made this week.
    Izaak Walton volunteers pose with the wreaths they have made this week.
  • Article Photo. Shirley Wiley helps finish one of the 150 wreaths the Ikes will make this holiday season.
    Shirley Wiley helps finish one of the 150 wreaths the Ikes will make this holiday season.

A half-dozen volunteers from the Red Cedar Chapter of the Izaak Walton League are busy again this pre-Christmas season, making 150 wreaths for sale around the area. 

The conservation group has been making the wreaths from Scotch pine trees for at least 20 years; members estimate they are nearing a total of 10,000 wreaths.

"We used to make 450 per year, but now we are down to 150," said Brenda Hackbarth, as she and others cleaned up the leftover pine needles after making more than 80 wreaths Wednesday morning.

Of those 150 wreaths made, 120 go to the Old Creamery Nature Trail project. Volunteers sell those wreaths and the two groups share the proceeds. A large wreath will decorate the wall near the entrance of the Virginia Gay Hospital. 

The members cut trees donated by Cory McKibben, who plants the pine trees to help his hardwood trees grow, then allows the Ikes to cut down the pines and use them for the wreaths. 

The pine branches are connected to the metal frames with 14 clamps (48 clamps secure the branches of the large VGH wreath). The Ikes also make one for McKibben. 

While most of the wreaths have been spoken for, a few are still available for purchase. Call Matt Purdy at 319-560-9806 or Randy Scheel at 319-573-4896.