TEKAMAH--Burt County Museum will again turn into a holiday forest this Christmas season, thanks to a legion of volunteers.
The museum’s 33rd annual “Fantasy of Trees” runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Rooms in all three buildings on the museum campus will showcase Christmas trees decorated by area residents to the overall theme, “Jingle Bells.” The event is best known as a candlelight tour because nearly all of the lighting in the buildings is provided by the glow from the trees.
The event again will have its traditional opening on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. No admission is charged for the museum tour but donations are accepted. Visitors may begin in any of the three buildings: the E.C. Houston House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the East House; or the Nolana schoolhouse. Adults are asked to accompany their children.
Museum curator Bonnie Newell said 2025 marks the 40th year of decorating the Houston House for Christmas, and, like most years, nearly 300 volunteers have helped with the decorations.
“That includes all the school children and club members who make things for the tour,” she said. “We really appreciate all their help.”
And there is plenty for guests to see. High school students from Tekamah-Herman strung garland and bows around the outside of all three buildings.
In the foyer of the main house Sam McMullen and Linda Farrens start the show with “A Cool Blue Christmas.” The towering tree is decorated with blue and silver ornaments, a blue and white angel tops the tree while the white skirt below is scattered with blue ornaments.
On the way into the parlor, is a tree Becky Rogers’ third grade class at Tekamah-Herman Elementary decorated to the theme, “Jingle All the Way.” The pencil tree features flat round ornaments made of sheet music, red and silver garland, multi-colored lights and top hat for a tree topper.
Over in the bay window, Jayne Palmer, Darla Nelson and Dani Moseman offer “’Tis the Season.” The artists give special thanks to Rick and Susan Mulder of Oakland who gave most of the tree’s ornaments to Darla. The fulsome tree features an antique wood and burlap motif which carries over to the fireplace mantel.
In the dining room Bob’s Crusaders Relay for Life has the table set for an intimate tea party. Dressed in red and white, the table has a teapot at each setting and a plate of cookies waiting to be served. The white tree in the window is decorated with colored balls, a theme which extends throughout the room.
The butler’s pantry, decorated by Amy Schroeder, is titled “Serving Up Christmas Cheer.”
The tour of the main house is then routed to the basement.
In the professional room, the staff at Cottonwood Clinic has “May the Bells of Health Ring Bright This Holiday Season.” As has been the custom of the longtime decorators, the tree’s ornaments are mostly health related. Pill bottles, sample containers and stars containing diagnoses decorate the white tree which uses hospital gowns for a skirt.
In the laundry room, the museum’s longest-tenured decorator, Linda Bisanz, has “Christmas in the Woods.” As the theme suggests, the room carries a rustic feel with popcorn garlands and plenty of wood.
Vicky Olson and Anne Sheets have turned the farm room into a “Country Christmas.” Sparkling gold and silver ornaments lead guests to the rustic Christmas tree which holds cranberry and popcorn garlands, colorful balls and teddy bears under the tree.
In the basement kitchen, Shauna Self and family have “Jingle and Mingle.” The cozy scene has all the markings of a gathering spot kitchen. The four-place table is decorated in red and white, the room brings memories of family Christmas traditions, like baking and crafts.
Back upstairs, the window seat of the main staircase leading to the second floor has been decorated by Molly Braniff and her daughter LilyAnn Willing. Titled “Christmas Bells Wicked Tells,” the area has the distinct imagery of the movie “Wicked,” including a witch’s hat for the topper and a yellow brick road leading to the tree.
In the sitting room, first time decorators Lisa Gustin of Glenwood, Iowa and Lorene Larsen of Omaha offer “Christmas Bells and Bows.” The vintage look that blends colors of red, white and gold with the museum décor also will be the setting for some of the evening’s entertainment, Norfolk guitarist Keith Wolken.
Over in the child’s bedroom, Val Woerman and Patty Gammel have “Dashing Through the Snow.” Gammel crocheted the tree’s snowflake ornaments, the garland is handmade and a sleigh dominates the area below the tree.
Next door in the master bedroom, Bonnie Chatt, Becky Anderson and Les Warren of the Historic Bryant House put together “Jingle All the Way.” The tree’s red ornaments are offset by paper chains made of sheet music. Music notes serve as the topper and a giant bell sits under the tree.
In the toy room, another mother-daughter team, Leanne Dorathy and Jeanine Gammel, have “Bells are Ringing, Angels are Singing” on display. The tree is decorated with copper balls and a variety of angels. A big white bell serves as the topper.
In the third floor ballroom, the Elske, Nun, King and Pruess families have “Sleigh Bells Ring” in a sweeping display that encompasses most of the room.
Back down to the second floor, Patty Brainard, Jazlyn Brainard and Emily Schoech decorated the pencil tree in the corner with “Christmas Bells are Ringing.” The small tree is full of silver and red with a sparkling red skirt and a poinsettia topper.
Over in the library, Oakland library director Rosa Schmidt has the classic poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” on display.
Down the back stairs, the tree that honors the memory of Hoot Gibson—the Tekamah native who went on to become a world champion cowboy and a Hollywood movie star—goes all Westerny with ornaments depicting the Western legend.
Heading out the back door toward the schoolhouse, Bonnie Newell’s display depicts a mother cardinal “Watching Over Her Little Jingle Bells.” The tabletop tree is full of small cardinals handmade by Newell’s mother, Bernetha Groves.
Decorations in the schoolhouse consist of items made by Burt County fourth graders. The decorations this year are organized by P.E.O. Chapter DC of Tekamah. Carrie Braniff’s class at Tekamah-Herman made tree ornaments from melted plastic cup lids. Sarah Smith’s class made the jingle bell trees that adorn the north wall. Students of Oakland-Craig teacher Elizabeth Swanson and art teacher Angie Meyer made the jingle bells on the blue paper depicting Christmas trees. Kendra Boden’s fourth graders at Lyons-Decatur made the glittery star ornaments on the back wall.
Much like the one-room schoolhouses of old, piano students of Molly Williams and Linda Rogers will play a recital in the schoolhouse during the tour.
In the East House, the tour picks up in the Pioneer Gallery where retired teachers Joan Andrew, Jaccie Mencke, Pam Tonjes and Joyce Ferguson have “Sleigh Bells Ring.” The tree features garland that served as sleigh bells in a previous iteration among the red ball ornaments and flannel bows.
In the middle of the room, Tekamah-Herman Elementary second graders, under the direction of Brynn Schmidt and Alexis Gibson, have “Jinglin’ With Second Graders.” The white tree is decorated by bells the students fashioned from starter seed containers.
At the far end of the room, Jeannene and Bryan Schutt’s display is titled “Here Comes Santa Claus.” The towering nine-foot tree is brightly colored with LED lights, red and white garland and features a marshmallow topper. Santa also will greet children in a special seating area near the tree, assisted by Buddy the Elf.
Members of the Logan Valley Quilt Guild have decorated the military room in patriotic red, white and blue.
Ryann and Emersyn Pagels’ display in the fireplace room is titled “Merry and Bright.” The pearl white and gold ornaments are complemented by antique children’s books.
The dining room has been decorated by Rick and Jan Henninger of Lyons and Mallory Henninger (Barber) and Daneis Barber of Iowa. Titled “Dachshing Through the Snow,” it features dachshund dog ornaments and tree skirt.
The butler’s pantry, decorated by Laura, Elizabeth and Kahla McElmuray is titled “Just Jinglin’.” It features a fun, if eclectic, collection of holiday pieces, including a manger scene.
Heading back toward the stairway, the organ room has been decorated by Cari and Sarah Brodersen to the theme, “Bells, Bells and More Bells.” It’s just what you’re thinking.
On the other side of the room, the foyer has been decorated by Holly Mackie and Sarah Jensen of Blair. Titled “Jingle Bell Forest,” it includes plenty of woodsy ornaments and jingle bells.
Lee, Samantha and Beth Bowland invite guests to “Ring Your Bells ‘Til the Horses Come Home.” The equine-themed display features real popcorn garland on the tabletop tree among several images of horses.
At the top of the stairs, McKinley and Deanna Goodwin have “Frosted Feathers” on display in the child’s room. The small white tree is decorated with more white, including birds, frosted pine cones and flower blossoms.
In the master bedroom, Norfolk decorator Angela Wolken has “Wedding Bells” on display. The frosted tree includes glittering white and gold ornaments offset by woodland touches.
Across the hall in the military room, longtime decorator Mary Ball is making her swan song with “Jumping Into the Holidays.” Assisted by her daughter Marissa, the display honors Ball’s late husband, Jim, who served with the 82nd Airborne division. The white tree carries a military theme, including dog tags, camouflage garland and has Jim’s beret as a topper.
The library has a tree decorated by Tekamah-Herman art students, directed by Jennifer Gahan. Titled “Jingle Fish,” the tree features ceramic fish made by the students as well as jungle bells laminated onto construction paper.
The bathroom is again decorated by Job’s Daughters Bethel No. 56 of Tekamah. “Jingle Bells of Tekamah” features a tabletop tree decorated in the organization’s signature color—purple.
Allison and Ellie Jones have decorated the sewing room to the theme, “Making Spirits Blight with Handmade Delights.” The tree features handmade ornaments with colored balls and bells, a stocking cap for a topper and knitted ear warmers for a skirt. Appropriately enough, more projects await on the sewing machine in the room.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Elise Camron and Tara Sick are “Baking Spirits Bright.” Gingerbread characters fill the room while the Christmas tree is decorated with peppermint colors.
Carissa Oligmueller and Christine Smutny titled their display in the Welcome Room “Jingle Bears.” It features a collection of large stuffed Christmas bears and a brightly decorated tree.
The specially decorated rooms will remain on display throughout the Christmas season during regular museum hours 1-5 p.m., on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Group tours can be arranged by calling the museum at 402-374-1505.
