The Ocala evening star., 1921-12-26
CIVIC CHRISTMAS TREE

On Saturday evening the civic
Christmas tree which had been talked
about so much, became a glittering
reality. The tree stood IN the south
west corner Of the civic center, a
noble specimen of the giants of our
forests, perfectly formed, symmetri-
cal IN shape, living tribute to God,
i; raised its head to the skies, from
which 1921 years ago, sang that angel
choir, "Glory to God In the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward
men,"
Long before the appointed hour the
crowds began to gather from all cor
ners of our county, TO enter into the
neighborly spirit of Christmas which
once a year permeates all alike, even
the most world hardened and cynical
among US. The exchange of friendly
courtesies and the excited and admir-
ing interest of the hundreds of chill
dren made this civic gathering a
pleasure to attend.
Those in charge had forseen the
eager interest that the crowd would
take and rope encircled a goodly
area surrounding the tree, holding
back the people that all might see
more clearly the beauty of the tree
before them.
A musical program with all of the
well known Christmas hymns had been
arranged and under the leadership of
Mrs. Bette Cole and her orchestra,
who were enthroned advantageously
in White Star van, the crowd joined
in the singing. After the prelude the
orchestra struck into the strains of
the national anthem, and as the crowd
stood at attention suddenly what be-
/ fore had been a tall, dark but stately
mass vaguely shimmering in the re-
fected glow became beautiful, glow
ing reality, a real Christmas tree
glittering with myriads of tiny red
and green electric lights, sparkling
with countless yards of tinsel, which
glittered and scintillated in the night
even to the topmost branch which was
crowned by glowing star, symbolic
/ of the star which led the wise men o1
the east to that lowly manger bee
where lay the marvel of the ages.
They say that Santa Claus is 6
myth, but those who were there at the
civic tree Saturday night saw what
before they had. only heard about. H'
was what we had always pictured
him, rather short Of statue, heavy set
jolly and jovial of manner, dressed II
his suit of red trimmed with whitl
fur. He arrived in state in his auto
mobile of white, escorted by Rev. j.
Neighbour, who thought it great fun
to be associated with such a vel
known and popular character. On ar
rival he Immediately made himsel
known to the kiddies whose specia
friend he has always been. Santa
car was followed by the big red trucl
O. Pillans & Smith, filled with goodie
for the children.
Santa, with the assistance of sew
eral willing workers, quickly dispens
: ed to the children who eagerly crowd
ed around the bags of candy and or
anges and apples.
: This civic Christmas tree was tn
result of hard aand untiring labor o
the civic committee of the Woman
Club, under the direct charge of Mr.:
John Good, chairman, and Mrs. c. v
Hunter, her able assistant. Tn
amount of labor and hard work whic
went into making the affair succes
, can never be realized except by thos
in charge and can only be counted b
the resultant beauty of the tree an
the smoothness and dispatch wit
which everything was carried out an
the pleasure of young and old alik
but the special rapture with which
e was received by the little ones.
2 The weather was ideal, warm an
;, clear and the night might have been
replica of that night twenty centuris
ago when the shepherds watchin
e their hocks on the hills of Jude.
: were suddenly dazzled by the heavenl
light and the angelic heralds announi
ing the Savior's birth, whose ann
2 versary we celebrate on the 25th {
December and. around which cling I