Indianapolis – Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann has accepted the donation of holiday decorations from Finishing Touches, a Christmas tree from Hensler Nursery, Inc. and handmade ornaments from the Girls Scouts of Central Indiana in celebration of the 2015 holiday season.
“I’m excited to share the beautiful decorations and Christmas tree with the hundreds of visitors who tour the Statehouse this season,” said Lt. Governor Ellspermann. “I have never forgotten that this working Statehouse is really the ‘people’s house’ of Indiana. As such, I am so proud to showcase greenery, the tree and unique items from Hoosier businesses as well as the ornaments from the Central Indiana Girl Scouts, our future leaders!”
In late November, Maureen Braun of Finishing Touches beautifully decorated the Lt. Governor’s Office with a variety of greenery and festive characters. Opened by Braun in 1978 with a vision to bring a unique selection of home accessories and gifts to Indiana, Finishing Touches is located in the heart of Jasper’s downtown and attracts customers from throughout the United States.
The Christmas tree was delivered by representatives of the Indiana Christmas Tree Association and Hensler Nursery, Inc. who provided this year’s 9-foot fraser fir. Hensler Nursery, Inc., from Hamlet has been in business since 1953 and was recently voted as one of Indiana’s best Christmas tree farms by the Indiana Office of Tourism and Development’s 2015 Best of Indiana Winter Awards.
Across the street from the Statehouse, the Lt. Governor’s Business Office, which includes four of the six state agencies that make up the family of agencies, were treated to a beautiful tree from Dull’s Tree Farm. Located in Thorntown, Dull’s Tree Farm provides family experiences during both the Christmas and Fall seasons.
Later in the day, two dozen girls from area troops with the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana decorated the Lt. Governor’s tree with handmade Christmas ornaments created by the girls to represent Indiana’s state colors of blue and gold. Troops #00272, #02697 and #00871 were accompanied by their leaders and family members to visit with Lt. Governor Ellspermann and enjoyed hot cider and cookies after decorating the tree.
The Lieutenant Governor manages the following agencies of State government: Office of Defense Development, Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Office of Tourism Development, Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.