ABOUT US

Christmas Trees Magazine is in its 35th year of publication. Myron “Mike” Gwinner, Hermann, Missouri, started Christmas Trees in 1972 because the information was solely needed for Christmas tree growers.

In 1981, Charles and Alice Clare Wright, owners of Tree Publishers, Inc. purchased the magazine from Mike when he had to retire. The Wrights own 75 acres near Lecompton, Kansas and planted their first Christmas trees in 1968. They operated a thriving “Choose and Harvest” Christmas tree operation with hundreds of satisfied customers for many years. Chuck was known in Northeast Kansas as “Mr. Christmas Tree,” and was widely quoted in media sources.

“Chuck” and “Sally” quickly became leaders in the Christmas tree industry. They traveled the world talking about real Christmas trees and touring plantations which they wrote about. Many of the articles in Christmas Trees Magazine came from their first-hand experiences in the Christmas tree business. Additionally, they networked with state and regional associations and attended hundreds of grower meetings. They are loved and respected around the world by people in the industry.

Christmas Trees Magazine has always been an independent source of information for large, small, retail, and wholesale growers. Since it isn't affiliated with any company, organization, or association, Christmas Trees Magazine has had the freedom to voice positive and negative opinions about the industry. For his efforts, Chuck is respected for helping the industry to grow and mature. In 2002, he received the industry's highest honor by being awarded the “ ddd” award by the National Christmas Tree Association. He felt very honored by receiving this distinguished award.

Alice Clare Wright has also received awards for her years of service to the industry including the Kansas Christmas Tree Grower's Association (KCTA) “ccc” award for serving as secretary for over xx years. Her alma mater, Washburn University, gave her xxxx for “Distinguished Service” to the community. Sally is also well loved and well respected by the industry.

In 2001, their daughter, Catherine Wright Howard, assumed hands-on editorial responsibilities for the magazine. She had served as reporter, photographer, associate editor, and editor. Catherine has also traveled around the world photographing and writing about conifers and Christmas trees. She is the only marketing expert in the world who focuses solely on marketing Christmas trees.

Catherine has spoken at dozens of Christmas tree meetings, and she is a marketing and management consultant to Christmas tree farms. She writes the “Marketing Matters” column for the magazine which is a popular, “down-to-earth” feature.

Catherine has taught college-level marketing and management classes for over 25 years at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas; and now at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. As a marketing instructor and consultant, she has helped many business clients with their marketing problems including a bed and breakfast, a premium kitchen counter manufacturer, several churches, an art gallery store, a leather and luggage store, 2 caterers, many non-profit organizations, several Christmas tree plantations, and a state Christmas tree association.

For 17 years, Catherine was the director of the East Central Indiana Better Business Bureau, and in that role, she was a frequent media interview and public speaker. She has worked in sales for insurance companies, a Hallmark card and gift store, Pier 1 Imports, and other retail outlets. Catherine was awarded the ‘Executive of the Month” award by the Topeka, Kansas Sales and Marketing Executives, and she has won awards for teaching excellence. Catherine is a psychologist specializing in consumer research, and she is a doctoral student at the University of Kansas.

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