T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY A daytime (top) and nighttime (bottom) view of the 40 foot inflatables and Christmas tree in front of Top Notch Tree Service, located at 2101 E. Nevada St. in Marshalltown.

Since he started Top Notch Tree Service after graduating from Marshalltown High School in 2001, Jeremy Adkins has always made it a point to give back to a community that has been so generous to him. For the last few years, that’s meant displaying a pair of 40 foot tall inflatables — Santa and a snowman — along with a massive Christmas tree in front of his office at 2101 E. Nevada St. around the holiday season.

“I like doing things for the community, and people love to bring their families with it. It’s kind of neat to see,” he said. “It’s all lit up at night, and that tree’s got over 55,000 lights on it.”

Surprisingly, with big commercial fans and motors, it doesn’t take long to get them blown up, although it does use plenty of power. The only challenge has been taking them down when heavy winds roll through town to avoid ripping holes in them.

Adkins always helps the Marshalltown Central Business District with the giant courthouse tree for the Holiday Stroll, which seems fitting considering his line of work, and thanks to his success in the business world, he’s doing what he can to make the community more fun and enjoyable for residents who need some Christmas cheer in their lives.

“I like to do nice things, and I always go overboard,” he said.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.