Whispering Pines Tree Farm under new ownership

OCONTO — The wagon rides and visits from Santa Claus start Friday, Nov. 29, at Whispering Pines Tree Farm, which celebrates the Christmas season under new ownership this year.

Dave and Mary Vander Velden, who established the popular cut-your-own Christmas tree farm in 1984, sold the business in June to Dan, Ken and Randy Yeska of Yeska Brothers’ Farm, of Wild Rose.

The Vender Veldens have worked with the Yeskas in the Christmas tree business for several years, and this season the two families are working together with longtime staff to make it a seamless transition. The Yeskas have sold trees wholesale for many years from their Waushara and Waupaca county farms and also specialize in potatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, jalapeno peppers and canning crops.

Families can come to the farm to experience a ride on the Whispering Pines Express to cut their own Christmas tree, take pictures with Santa, shop in the log cabin gift shop and spend time warming up with hot chocolate.

Sisters-in-law Sharon, Carolann and Megan Yeska are handling the day-to-day operations of the gift shop at 3694 Airport Road, which opened Nov. 9.

Families can choose from balsam fir, Fraser fir, Scotch pine and white pine, with optional shaking and baling. Precut trees are also available. Although closed Thanksgiving Day, the farm is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 23; Whispering Pines Express Train rides are scheduled every weekend, and pictures with Santa are this Friday through Sunday, then Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 and tentatively until noon Dec. 21.