Staff writer
It is not just the white bear in a red satin dress flanked by a red and white sparkly heart bouquet that catches the eye. There are currently heart-shaped lights draped with white spiral garlands around the city of Hillsboro office window in city hall, and according to the women in the office, there are roses in the bathroom too.
“Mary Klenda decorates for us,
city clerk Jan Meisinger said. “We appreciate it so much. She makes the holidays so festive around here.”
Klenda’s recent work centered on Valentine’s Day, but she has special boxes with decorations for each holiday that she pulls out to share with others at the city building offices.
“I’ve just always enjoyed decorating for the holidays,” Klenda said. “Even in my own home, I get it all out. It makes me happy. I enjoy sharing it with others.”
Klenda works full-time as a custodian for the city, cleaning the offices, city meeting rooms, and bathrooms. However, she also enjoys decorating the building before and after regular hours.
“When each holiday comes, I just put it all right up,” she said.
Klenda said the Valentine’s Day display would remain until Thursday, but the next day she will get out St. Patrick’s Day items.
“After St. Patrick’s, I am ready for Easter,” she said. “Christmas is my favorite, but I have pretty things for each holiday. I just like to do that.”