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Show Christmas Tree Lighting Brings Small Community Spirit to Lindon " ' """" 1 "'' "" ' " ..H.-'I".I I .MIUHIIII...I.I........I. .. ....... ..I..,! .1 - , I. I II I. ., IM. - I i . . ' ' r.J i. ' . . . . - , iiiiri.ind by Tonya LeMone Josh Williams, a second grader from Aspen Elementary School, was chosen to be the one to flip the switch at the annual an-nual Lindon tree lighting ceremony cere-mony held Monday, December 6, at the Lindon City Center in Lindon. This has been the 17th consecutive year since being be-ing reinstated in 1993, and each year the crowds increase. Those in' attendance were able to hear three different choirs from Rocky Mountain Elementary Elemen-tary School. One choir was the Spanish Span-ish immersion choir who sang their numbers in Spanish and the two other choirs sang traditional tra-ditional Christmas songs and recited the poem "The Night before Christmas". A beautiful invocation was offered by Pastor Mike Tharp from the Fellowship Bible Church located in Lindon City. John Fugal once again gave his reading of the account of the birth of Christ from the Bible. John Fugal has been giving this reading for the past 17 years and we were all honored to hear him again this year. Lisa Gillman gave a brief history of the tree lighting to the audience. Sl)e stated that the tree lighting began in 1934 with only 20 bulbs on the tree. She also stated the purpose, from the beginning, was to lift the spirits of those residing resid-ing in Lindon because of the many hardships so many had to endure because of the Great Depression. Then in 1942 the city was not allowed to light the tree because of the "lights out" movement that was in effect ef-fect across the United States in an effort to protect the country during the war. But, the revival of the tree lighting began again in 1993 and has been a growing success ever since. Mayor Dain spoke to the audience briefly about what a generous community Lindon Lin-don is and thanked those who participated in the first annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. Din-ner. Mayor Dain also stated that the tree used for the tree lighting this year would be the one and only time it would be used because next year a new tree will be planted in the newly new-ly purchased Community Center Cen-ter and the ceremony will take place there from now on. Mayor Dain also reminded the audience to be "proud of the past, enjoy the present and look forward to a bright future" here in the city of Lindon and in our own individual lives. The Lindon Cily Police Department made hot chocolate choco-late for all in attendance and the Little Miss Lindon Royally Roy-ally handed out candy canes to everyone. It was once again a small town event with big town success. Three choirs from Rocky Mountain Elementary School, including the Spanish Immersion Choir, sang to those attending the special event at Lindon City Hall. " r m -5 v , f ' " ; .. : -A I L I Many thanks to the city of Lindon for their efforts in making this a safe event, and to the Historical Committee, Com-mittee, who were in charge of the event. The committee is chaired by Lynn LeMone with Van and Eva Ercan-brack, Ercan-brack, Steve and June Smith, Kevin and Lisa Gillman, Scott and B rend a Cullimore as committee members, and Mark Walker as a city council member, with Adam Cowie from the Lindon City Staff. John Fugal has been giving the reading of birth of Christ from the Bible for the past 17 years, and we were all honored to hear him again this year. |