In the corner of the Buchanan Area Senior Center’s main hall sits a Christmas tree. All year round.

But people won’t always find Christmas decorations on the tree.

From Memorial Day through Flag Day the tree sports a patriotic red, white and blue theme. In spring the tree may be adorned with silk flowers, pastel Easter eggs and ribbon bunny ears. In March people will find the tree decorated in an Irish theme with green clovers for St. Patrick’s Day. In February, the features change to red and pink heart-shaped Valentines. People also may find photos of the seniors or their families incorporated in the decorations for Veteran’s Day or Mother’s Day.

The mastermind behind the tree and table decorations is Buchanan Area Senior Center board member, Leona Wonacott. She and other volunteers can be found in the craft room of the center once a week planning and designing the arboreal adornments. The team brainstorms ideas for future themes, often making them from scratch from castoff and repurposed items. Anyone is welcome to join in the fun, and all ideas are considered.

The current theme is “By the Sea,” and features wide pale blue and green tulle ribbon, leftover wedding decorations donated to the center, wound together and through the tree like giant waves.

Resting on the “waves” are fun little sailboats, cut from sheet styrofoam with white craft foam sails, decked out with colorful umbrellas, paddles and seashells. Other ornaments made from seashells and miniature dock pilings made from wine bottle corks float among the tree branches.

The tree has been left up at the center for the past year and a half to allow for changing themes. The tradition has been to top the tree with a hat, on loan from one of the volunteers. But it was suggested that the top this time could be a lifesaving ring. Wonacott couldn’t find what she wanted, so she made a convincing double with a foam wreath ring, red ribbon, and jute rope. She often goes a step further and makes little magnets or ornaments to send with a note to the homebound seniors who receive Meals on Wheels.

“We have a lot of fun,” Wonacott said. “People get a kick out of what we come up with, and sometimes they give us ideas from things they have seen. Janis (Sexton) and Mary (Blake) put the decorations on the tree this time, and I am so proud of the job they did. It turned out really nice.”