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News & Features
From the Idyllwild Town Crier weekly newspaper, 10.15.09 edition.
Tree lighting enhanced
By Marshall Smith, Staff Reporter
Soroptimist
International of Idyllwild (SR) member Marge Muir said her group, in
charge of the Idyllwild Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday
Nov. 28, plans to expand and enhance the ceremony for this year and
make it more family friendly. “In recent years there just hasn’t been
enough going on,” said Muir.
Muir and group want to literally and figuratively elevate Santa Claus’
importance in the ceremony, placing him and Mrs. Claus at the Village
Centre shopping complex across from the main stage which will be set up
this year on Village Center Drive, directly in front of the tree, not
in front of The Fort as in previous years.
The intention in moving Santa to the Village Centre complex is to
provide children better access to and more time to spend with Santa.
“We already have the permits for closing the street,” said Muir, who
added that this year booths will be added. The Idyllwild Association of
Realtors will have one, providing hot chocolate to attendees and
possibly selling cookbooks featuring recipes by local Realtors.
The Idyllwild HELP Center, Mile High Radio Club, Living Free, Camp
Alandale, Idyllwild Right to Life and Mountain Quilters of Idyllwild
will provide other informational booths, according to SR member Karen
Doshier.
Muir is considering starting the program later, at 4:30 p.m., so that
Harvest Festival patrons can attend, and having the finale of the
ceremony be the tree lighting. “We had complaints from last year that
the ceremony just wasn’t long enough,” said Muir.
Diane Riggi will once again be in charge of the program, which this
year will also feature a children’s choir as well as an adult choir.
Muir invites anyone who wants to volunteer in any capacity to contact
her at 659-8335. Volunteers also are welcome to show up the morning of
Nov. 28 at the site.
Idyllwild Arts is participating by providing a stage, risers and sound.
The Red Kettle restaurant will give out coffee and cinnamon rolls. Doug
Austin’s Olde English Theatre players will once again be circulating
throughout the crowd dispensing Christmas cheer and greetings.
Mike and Emily Pearson are returning as Mr. and Mrs. C. “I like it with
all of the kids,” said Mike. “It’s been a fun deal for me and Emily.”
Pearson is also happy Muir is heading up this year’s changes. “I’m
happy because Marge is real strong and she’s done this before.”
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