Kroc Center to create ornaments

COEUR d'ALENE - The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center has been chosen to create the ornaments for the Idaho State tree for the 2011 National Christmas Tree display in President's Park in Washington, D.C., the National Park Foundation announced Thursday.

Major JoAnn Markham has been selected as the local artist for Idaho and will create the designs for the ornaments. Art students at The Kroc Center will follow the design examples to create the ornaments that will be sent to Washington, D.C.

In addition, youth are invited to stop by The Kroc Center between 4-6 p.m. on Monday or Wednesday to make a small star or snowflake that will be included in the ornaments.

"The inspiration for the design of the ornaments came from the natural beauty that Idaho experiences in the wintertime, along with the reason for the season - the birth of Jesus," Markham said in a press release.

An organization, local artist and local youth were selected from each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia to design and create 24 ornaments.

Twenty-three of the ornaments will be hung from the state or territory tree as part of the National Christmas Tree display in President's Park.

One of the ornaments will decorate the White House Visitor Center Christmas tree, which showcases one ornament from all 56 states, territories and the District of Columbia.

"We look forward to including the creations of Major Markham and The Salvation Army Kroc Center, representing Idaho during the 89th annual celebration," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation.