O Ladder Tree

FORT RECOVERY — Christmas is known as the season of joy and happiness, and to many, it is also a time of remembrance.

That is what the members of Southwest Mercer Fire Department decided to focus on when they created their entry for the Fort Festival of Trees at Fort Recovery Public Library.

Their tree stands out from the rest because it’s not a fir or spruce with green needles extended from its branches. Instead, it’s a series of five wooden boards stretched across a step-ladder, each one a bit shorter than the next.

The “ladder tree” is in honor of Steve Franke, former fire chief and owner of Franke-Meiring Insurance Agency (which has been integrated with Hein Insurance to become Fort Recovery Insurance Agency). Franke died this last year after a battle with cancer.

The idea for the tree came about when Theresa Wendel, whose husband Dan worked with Franke at the fire department, saw the fire memorabilia the former chief had collected over the years on display at the fire department.

“Last year, I noticed that it was down at the fire hall and thought, ‘What a shame that only the fire department and their families get to enjoy this stuff’,’” said Theresa. “I knew the community would really love to see this collection.”

She knew she could not display the many items on a traditional Christmas tree because of the weight, so, after some research, she came up with a “ladder tree.” Each of the boards that make up the tree’s “branches” has an arrangement of the memorabilia from Franke’s collection.

“It took me like two hours to set it up the way I wanted it,” said Theresa.

Theresa admired the fact the Franke decided to donate his collection to the fire department. During his battle with cancer, he decided he wanted others to enjoy his collection and since he was heavily involved with the fire department, it was the logical option when he was ready to make a donation.

Franke was active for over 40 years in the Fort Recovery Fire Department and he was on the fire district board.

During his three years as fire chief — 1983 to ’86 — he helped form the Southwest Fire District, a new fire building was built and the first custom pumper was put into use.

He was also on the task force that implemented the 911 phone system in 1990, served a two-year term as the president of Fort Recovery Chamber of Commerce and was involved with numerous other committees.

“Steve was always thinking of the community first,” said Dan Wendel. “He was on all kinds of different community boards.”

Theresa said the response of the community regarding the tree has been incredible.

“Everybody who has seen it has thought it was such a neat idea,” said Theresa. “They were just amazed that he collected so many unique things over the years.”

The memorabilia on display is not Franke’s entire collection. Theresa said only about three-quarters of the the items were able to fit on the tree. The rest is still at the fire department.

The collection consists of a wide range of collectibles from tiny firetrucks to bookends with a fire department theme to them.

“He has done so much for the community over the years,” said Theresa. “And I thought this was a neat way to pay him back.”