OTTUMWA — I think it’s fair to say that this year’s holiday season in Ottumwa just won’t be the same.

Word came late last week that committee members with the Ottumwa Habitat for Humanity Festival of Trees have reluctantly agreed to cancel this year’s event.

In a statement, the committee tells me that “because of a number of unforeseen circumstances,” the 17th annual festival was being canceled.

But committee members Judy Engle and Barb Heckart, two of the nicest and hardest-working women you’d ever want to meet, tell me that those circumstances primarily include the current economic downturn and the concerns over the flu epidemic.

“It was pretty devastating [to make that decision],” Judy said.

Both women along with some other committee members spent several hours weighing whether or not to hold the event this year.

It was clear when they came in to visit with me that the decision was one of heartbreak and frustration.

“I just had this unsettling feeling,” Judy said.

And it would be unsettling to know that this event has come to symbolize not only the kickoff to the holidays in Ottumwa, but more importantly, it is the primary fundraiser for an organization that impacts real lives.

As Barb and Judy pointed out, Habitat is a “large and active presence” in Ottumwa. The local chapter is still working on plans to build its 11th home — all new construction, including work by inmates from the Fort Madison Penitentiary, who will construct the framing and kitchen cabinets.

The site will be on South Davis Street and a partner family has been selected for the new home. The Festival of Trees Committee gifted $9,000 for the new project.

Over the past 16 years, the committee has raised well more than $100,000 for Habitat.

It’s ironic that the economy, in part, was part of the reason for the cancellation of this year’s festival — which raises money to help those achieve home ownership.

But Barb and Judy know that this decision is just a small bump in the road and promise that the 2010 event will be “bigger and better than ever.”

“We want to thank the community for their past support,” Barb said. “They have been very good to support us.”