Litchfield’s Holiday Tree Is Also a Poignant Memorial Tribute

When Litchfield’s holiday tree on the Green was lit for the first time this year on Sunday as part of Holiday Stroll festivities, it announced more than the formal arrival of the season in Litchfield. This majestic tree, shining like a beacon in the center of a vibrant, historic town, is also a living tribute to Glenn “Chipper” Winn, who died in a car accident in 1997. A Town of Litchfield Facebook post from the tree lighting in 2020 (Nov. 27), took note of the tree’s significance to the Winn family: “It’s official, the Holiday season is upon us. The town always looks so festive this time of year. 600 Brand new LED lights charm the tree this year on Center Green. This tree was planted 22 years ago in memory of Glenn Winn, who died tragically in an automobile accident. Thank You to community volunteer John Langer who installs and double checks the bulbs each year.” Donna Winn, a former director of Litchfield Park & Recreation, whose ancestors were among the town’s early settlers in the 1700s, joined with family and friends after her son’s death to plant a new community Christmas tree on the Green as a living tribute to Chipper. “It was quite a project,” Ms. Winn said in an email to the town’s Economic Development Commission, which this holiday season remembered Chipper in a special note that appears in the window of the visitor’s booth across from the holiday tree on the Green. “In the heart of the community stands a magnificent tree, a living tribute to the cherished memory of Glenn "Chipper" Winn from the Milton section of Litchfield — the beloved son of Donna and Glenn E. Winn Sr. and brother to Neal Winn,” the note says. “Planted in his honor, the evergreen has grown into a beautiful centerpiece in Litchfield. Adorned with twinkling lights, the tree takes on a special radiance during the holiday season, lighting up the Green and casting a warm glow over the town that Chipper held so dearly in his heart.” 1978 - 1997 When Litchfield’s holiday tree on the Green was lit for the first time this year on Sunday as part of Holiday Stroll festivities, it announced more than the formal arrival of the season in Litchfield.

This majestic tree, shining like a beacon in the center of a vibrant, historic town, is also a living tribute to Glenn “Chipper” Winn, who died in a car accident in 1997.

A Town of Litchfield Facebook post from the tree lighting in 2020 (Nov. 27), took note of the tree’s significance to the Winn family:

“It’s official, the Holiday season is upon us. The town always looks so festive this time of year. 600 Brand new LED lights charm the tree this year on Center Green. This tree was planted 22 years ago in memory of Glenn Winn, who died tragically in an automobile accident. Thank You to community volunteer John Langer who installs and double checks the bulbs each year.”

Donna Winn, a former director of Litchfield Park & Recreation joined with family and friends after her son’s death to plant a new community Christmas tree on the Green as a living tribute to Chipper.

“It was quite a project,” Ms. Winn said in an email to the town’s Economic Development Commission, which this holiday season remembered Chipper in a special note that appears in the window of the visitor’s booth across from the holiday tree on the Green.

“In the heart of the community stands a magnificent tree, a living tribute to the cherished memory of Glenn “Chipper” Winn from the Milton section of Litchfield — the beloved son of Donna and Glenn E. Winn Sr. and brother to Neal Winn,” the note says. “Planted in his honor, the evergreen has grown into a beautiful centerpiece in Litchfield. Adorned with twinkling lights, the tree takes on a special radiance during the holiday season, lighting up the Green and casting a warm glow over the town that Chipper held so dearly in his heart.” 1978 – 1997

When Litchfield’s holiday tree on the Green was lit for the first time this year on Sunday as part of Holiday Stroll festivities, it announced more than the formal arrival of the season in Litchfield. This majestic tree, shining like a beacon in the center of a vibrant, historic town, is also a living tribute to Glenn “Chipper” Winn, who died in a car accident in 1997. A Town of Litchfield Facebook post from the tree lighting in 2020 (Nov. 27), took note of the tree’s significance to the Winn family: “It’s official, the Holiday season is upon us. The town always looks so festive this time of year. 600 Brand new LED lights charm the tree this year on Center Green. This tree was planted 22 years ago in memory of Glenn Winn, who died tragically in an automobile accident. Thank You to community volunteer John Langer who installs and double checks the bulbs each year.” Donna Winn, a former director of Litchfield Park & Recreation, whose ancestors were among the town’s early settlers in the 1700s, joined with family and friends after her son’s death to plant a new community Christmas tree on the Green as a living tribute to Chipper. “It was quite a project,” Ms. Winn said in an email to the town’s Economic Development Commission, which this holiday season remembered Chipper in a special note that appears in the window of the visitor’s booth across from the holiday tree on the Green. “In the heart of the community stands a magnificent tree, a living tribute to the cherished memory of Glenn "Chipper" Winn from the Milton section of Litchfield — the beloved son of Donna and Glenn E. Winn Sr. and brother to Neal Winn,” the note says. “Planted in his honor, the evergreen has grown into a beautiful centerpiece in Litchfield. Adorned with twinkling lights, the tree takes on a special radiance during the holiday season, lighting up the Green and casting a warm glow over the town that Chipper held so dearly in his heart.” 1978 - 1997