  |
|
|
| HIGH DESERT SECTION |
THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2004 |
Cheers for tree lighting
|
|
|
VICTORVILLE - The only hint of decoration on the darkened cedar tree was a
large gold star that the tree wore like a crown, yet hundreds of people
gathered around the tree in anticipation. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six," the children shouted in unison with Victorville Mayor Terry Caldwell. "Five, four," they chanted, and many adult voices joined for the final, "three, two, one." Then, while the crowd sucked in its breath, thousands of multi-color lights on the 25-foot tree sprang to life. In a great exhalation, everyone cheered. "The first live Christmas tree in the city of Victorville's history," Caldwell said to the crowd. The tree is planted south of Victorville City Hall, on Civic Drive, and was made possible partly by the Rotary Club. Ryan McEachron said use of the live tree had been a number of years in the making. He is a Victorville planning commissioner and member of the Rotary Club. "We always looked forward to seeing a real tree," he said. McEachron and others might have looked forward to a live tree, but 2-year-old Tanner Carone, of Wrightwood, was looking forward to seeing something else the city had promised everyone — the arrival of Santa Claus. Enjoying a chocolate chip cookie, Tanner looked happy after seeing Santa. His mother, Anne Ogilvie, confirmed that her son was probably on cloud nine. "He loves firetrucks," she said, and because Santa arrived on an antique Victorville firetruck and Tanner believes in Santa, it all came together for him. Not too far from where Santa sat with children on his lap, ice skaters made their way around what Caldwell said was the first ice rink that has ever been installed in the High Desert. The portable rink opened the day after Thanksgiving and will be open through this weekend. "What do you think about the ice rink?" Caldwell asked the crowd. They answered by cheering. Caldwell said there was a good chance there would be an ice rink at future tree lightings. Along with the tree and ice rink, there are booths and vendors set up near the tree. The ice rink will be moving to Lancaster next week, but the tree will remain. Cecilia Potts may be reached at 951-6232 or cecilia_potts@link.freedom.com. |
|
|
Santa Claus greets children upon his arrival following the tree lighting ceremony for the city of Victorville on Wednesday night. |
|
