Rochester just had its tree lighting, an annual tradition. The town trees that have been decorated over the years have been many as not all the planted trees have survived. The tree in this picture is the town Christmas tree of 1990. It is shown being planted in front of Town Hall. This tree came from the front yard of Jane Ellis’ home on Mendall Road.
Jane (mother of Historical Society member, Alton Ellis) was a lifelong resident of Rochester who passed away at the age of 93 in 2019. Reading through her job history, it would seem that from 1956 to the early seventies, Rochester would have had a hard time functioning without her. She was first clerk of Town Hall in 1956, promoted to executive secretary ten years later and then from 1966-1972 served as first Town accountant.
Even in retirement in 1986, she kept things running as a volunteer with many boards and also working as the town assessor. All this and she also donated a tree to help the town celebrate Christmas.
By Connie Eshbach