Master Gardener: When and how to prune lilacs and chrysanthemums

Q:  My lilac shrub has grown taller than I am. Consequently, I can no longer see or smell the flowers well enough to enjoy them.  Pretty soon it will be time to prune our trees and shrubs. Is winter the correct time to prune it and would it be safe for us to shorten it a few feet?
To bring a lilac down in height, don’t just prune the top off as if it were a hedge. (Ottillia “Toots” Bier, Contributing Photographer)
A:  It makes sense to keep such nice flowers