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Family's wish comes true (Count the number of times "Christmas" isn't mentioned)
Portland (ME) Press Herald ^ | 17 November, 2005 | Trevor Maxwell

Posted on 11/17/2005 7:16:34 PM PST by NewHampshireDuo

The blue spruce tree cost 10 cents and was no bigger than Judy MacConnell's hand when it arrived at her family's home in Falmouth 56 years ago.

When workers arrived to bring it to Portland's Monument Square on Wednesday, the tree was a towering 65 feet tall and weighed 11,400 pounds.

MacConnell said, "It's the largest one they have had in Portland" to stand through the holidays.

Her parents wanted the tree to stand some day in Monument Square. Blanche Hincks Capelluti and Joseph A. Capelluti talked about the possibility many times over the years, MacConnell said. Her mother died in April and her father died on Nov. 1.

Before her father died, MacConnell called the city of Portland and got the tree added to its list of candidates for this year. She got the call back on Nov. 8.

"They had no idea of the story of the family that went with it," MacConnell said. "It is so heartwarming to know that (my parents') wish was fulfilled."

MacConnell and her brother Jody Capelluti were there on Wednesday as police escorted the tree on its way down Congress Street.

"There is sadness and joy," MacConnell said. "Both of our parents are gone, but we all take joy in knowing that so many families and children are going to enjoy this gift."

The tree will be lit on Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Maine
KEYWORDS: christmas; holiday; merrychristmas; pc; whatkindoftree
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I'm surprised that "Thanksgiving" was actually mentioned by name.
1 posted on 11/17/2005 7:16:34 PM PST by NewHampshireDuo
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To: NewHampshireDuo

Didn't know Christmas was so taboo that even the newspaper won't print it.


2 posted on 11/17/2005 7:21:14 PM PST by prouddvldog
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To: prouddvldog

You used the "c" word in your post. Moderator oh moderator.


3 posted on 11/17/2005 7:23:29 PM PST by beaversmom
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To: prouddvldog

The new Target ads on tv are all red and green and jolly but never mention Christmas. This is so weasly! Worse than coming out and saying the won't say Christmas or Merry Christmas. They want our business while they're bleeping us.


4 posted on 11/17/2005 7:24:13 PM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: NewHampshireDuo

how about 11 times;

Family's CHRISTMAS wish comes true

The blue spruce CHRISTMAS tree cost 10 cents

The CHRISTMAS tree was a towering 65 feet tall

MacConnell said, "It's the largest one they have had in Portland" to stand through CHRISTMAS

Her parents wanted the CHRISTMAS tree to stand some day in Monument Square

Capelluti talked about the possibility many times over past CHRISTMAS’s

MacConnell called the city of Portland and got the CHRISTMAS tree added

It is so heartwarming to know that (my parents') CHRISTMAS wish was fulfilled."

police escorted the ) CHRISTMAS tree

we all take joy in knowing that so many families and children are going to enjoy this CHRISTMAS tree

The tree will be lit on Nov. 25 a month before CHRISTMAS


5 posted on 11/17/2005 7:26:02 PM PST by seastay
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To: NewHampshireDuo

It's a winter celebration tree, duh.


6 posted on 11/17/2005 7:26:38 PM PST by beaversmom
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To: NewHampshireDuo
Ok, there are nine lines, and potentially, Christmas could have been mentioned in at least seven of them. While reading this, "Christmas" popped into my head all the way through. They may try to take Christmas out of our sight, but they'll never take Christmas out of our hearts and minds.
7 posted on 11/17/2005 7:27:32 PM PST by ladiesview61
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To: ladiesview61

Excellent point. Same here.


8 posted on 11/17/2005 7:29:26 PM PST by NewHampshireDuo
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To: NewHampshireDuo

Arbor Day?


9 posted on 11/17/2005 7:29:44 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: Veto!

I HAD to go to Target today to buy one specific thing that my son needed. Outside the door, the Moonbats were flocking with "petitions" to do this that and the other.
"Yes. I am A registered Voter. No. I will not take your word for it, let me read the petition." I declined. Not only was the young moonbat "profiling', the woman next to me was given a different petition, she's younger than I, harried, little kids, etc. She signed everything just to be nice. Went to Stop and Shop to get dinner ten doors down and there is the Salvation Army guy! Gave him all of my money and said isn't it Ironic that Target supports liberal petitioners, but not his group!
He just shook his head and wished me a Merry Christmas!
I Hate Target.


10 posted on 11/17/2005 7:34:04 PM PST by acapesket (never had a vote count in all my years here)
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To: NewHampshireDuo; PhilDragoo; potlatch; ntnychik; Liz


bump


11 posted on 11/17/2005 7:46:24 PM PST by devolve (<--- (--------(--do not check out my lame FR home page--)--------)
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To: NewHampshireDuo

I went to the newspapers article....it has two pictures with this article....and they mention the "holiday tree" and the "holiday season."

I was trying to find a way to respond but never did....


12 posted on 11/17/2005 7:49:16 PM PST by goodnesswins (DEMS....40 yrs and $$$dollars for the War on Poverty, but NOT a $$ or minute for the WAR on Terror!)
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To: Veto!

I went to Wal-Mart a few weeks ago and was looking through the Christmas stuff--the talking gadgets, etc. I came across the Grumpy Santa and pressed the button. It said, "I've got your Merry Christmas" and then let out a huge burp. There were other vulgar sayings as well that I can't remember. Wal-Mart employees can no longer wish their customers Merry Christmas but they can sell something insulting toward Christmas.


13 posted on 11/17/2005 7:52:22 PM PST by beaversmom
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To: goodnesswins

I take that back.....you can write to....

letterstotheeditor@pressherald.com

ALSO....the ADVERTISING that popped up on the right side of the article at the newspaper website was all about CHRISTMAS trees....at Sears, and other places....kind of hilarious!


14 posted on 11/17/2005 7:52:54 PM PST by goodnesswins (DEMS....40 yrs and $$$dollars for the War on Poverty, but NOT a $$ or minute for the WAR on Terror!)
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To: goodnesswins

That paper used to have email links to the authors. This one didn't.


15 posted on 11/17/2005 7:53:20 PM PST by NewHampshireDuo
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To: NewHampshireDuo

This is just ridiculous. I emailed the author asking him what was so newsworthy about a tree. There is a link off of the page if you want to contact him.

Why bother with the story?


16 posted on 11/17/2005 8:07:20 PM PST by VeniVidiVici (What? Me worry?)
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To: prouddvldog


Gannet has rules on making your writing "diverse", and even in that environment the Portland Press Herald editors are diversification nazis.


17 posted on 11/17/2005 8:09:56 PM PST by Fido969 ("And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).)
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To: goodnesswins


If it was "Quanza" they'd have mentioned it about 10 times.


18 posted on 11/17/2005 8:16:34 PM PST by Fido969 ("And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).)
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To: Fido969

Hey....I'm going to write to them saying just THAT ..."If it was Quanza (Kwanza?)...they'd have mentioned it about 10 times."


19 posted on 11/17/2005 8:18:00 PM PST by goodnesswins (DEMS....40 yrs and $$$dollars for the War on Poverty, but NOT a $$ or minute for the WAR on Terror!)
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To: beaversmom

Please tell me .....who is the PC police chief ......that makes this call????? Who are these retailers afraid to offend?????

I just want to let him/her/they/whoever know that Jesus loves them too, even though they reject Him.


20 posted on 11/17/2005 8:24:03 PM PST by del4hope (No child left behind=No child steps forward)
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