News Room
News Items from the Senator
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| December 5th, 2008 |
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Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington, 202-224-5251 |
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Printable Version |
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OGDEN SISTERS’ ORNAMENT ADORNS WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE
Senator Hatch Chose Siblings to Design the Yule Decoration |
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WASHINGTON – Of all the ornaments adorning the White House Christmas Tree, one in particular carries special meaning for Teri Richards and Tina Herman, the Ogden sisters who designed it.
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) congratulated the siblings on their visit to Washington, D.C. this week for the unveiling of the White House Christmas tree that included their homemade decoration, which is emblazoned with a distinctly Utah theme, the words: “By industry we thrive” and “The Beehive State.”
“I’m proud to have had the honor of selecting Teri and Tina to design and make this beautiful ornament, which appropriately pays homage to the industry Utahns of all walks of life have displayed over the years to make the Beehive State thrive and such a great place to live,” Hatch said. “The ornament is a jewel, and its designers have really done a wonderful job in its creation.”
First lady Laura Bush chose the theme of this year’s White House Christmas Tree, “A Red, White and Blue Christmas.” She also invited members of Congress to pick artists to make ornaments for the tree – adornments that would be in keeping with the theme and also represent the states or areas where they were made.”
Richards and Herman say it was an adventure to be in the nation’s capital and get their pictures taken in front of the tree that included their ornament.
“We were so honored to be asked by Senator Hatch to do an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree,” said Richards, who attended the White House tree ceremony with her sister’s husband, Robert Herman, and saw Mrs. Bush. “We were delighted to attend the White House reception, see the tree and meet with the other artists. It was amazing to see the tree brimming with so many beautiful balls. It was fabulous.”
To craft the ornament, the sisters took embroidery emblazoned with the state motto and sprinkled with beehives and flowers and mounted it on a ball that was sent to them from the White House. Navy blue bees swirl and fly over the top of the ornament and the names of Utah cities border the bottom of the piece. Assisted by Robert, the sisters covered the ball with hand-felted wool and hand-twisted silver cords.
“We wanted it to truly exemplify Utah,” Richards said.
The sisters run a unique needle and folk art store out of a renovated 19th century blacksmith and carriage shop located in Ogden’s historic district.
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