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Press Release Town of Kensington Maryland
Town of Kensington Maryland ^ | 11/29/01 | Town of Kensington

Posted on 11/29/2001 9:27:31 AM PST by UB355

PRESS RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 29, 2001

Not even Dr. Suess could have attracted this much attention to our annual Tree Lighting in Kensington, but we feel all the attention is missing a key point: this year is different than most years. The events of September 11 require a different kind of ceremony.

We want to be responsive to all those who need to come together for a moment of unity and family togetherness this holiday season. That's why in October, at our Town Council meeting, we made changes to our program to accommodate our response to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

We now suspect that Santa Claus(es) will show up one way or another. Santa is always welcome and we sure won't send him to the hills above Whoville, even if he doesn't have a formal invitation from the Town of Kensington.

One way or another, we will have a ceremony that celebrates our local heros from the firefighters, police, postal workers and military. We will show that the Town of Kensington knows how to come together and knows not to take itself too terribly seriously. Most of all, we will have some fun with our kids which is what this event is all about in the first place.

  BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  Kensington, Maryland - Like many other communities around the nation, the Kensington Town tree will be lit up in red, white and blue this holiday season. On Sunday, December 2nd, the community will celebrate the American spirit and will honor the first responders to the tragedies of September 11th and its own fire fighters, police officers, mail carriers and military with lights and music.

In a flyer mailed to all Town residents earlier this month, the modified annual tree lighting ceremony was announced as an opportunity to come together as "we aspire for peace and unity throughout the world." "This year, more than ever," the Mayor said, "we need to come together as Americans and celebrate our freedoms and the men and women who have risked their lives to ensure our freedoms."

The festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m. with music performed by students from the Levine School of Music who will be on hand to perform some of the songs that bind us together as Americans. Community members will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies during the performance. Children have been asked to bring decorations of peace to be placed on a Banner of Peace. The Banner will be displayed in Town Hall throughout the holiday season.

The ceremony will be capped by the traditional lighting of the tree. This year the community has decided that instead of Santa at the switch, the Mayor will be joined by a local firefighter, police officer and U.S. Postal Service mail carrier. The tree will be lit in red, white and blue lights.

During the ceremony, charitable donations will be collected for Crossways Community, a residential/day care facility in Kensington for underprivileged children. Residents have been asked to bring diapers, baby wipes or formula which will be delivered to the Crossways Community nursery.


TOPICS: Announcements; Breaking News; Culture/Society
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To: John Jorsett
I look forward to Spring when the town council can celebrate our freedoms by shooting the Easter bunny.

If Kensington shoots the easter bunny (presumably with a crossbow; Kensington seems kinda iffy about guns as well), could somebody tell the rest of us if he tastes like chocolate?

101 posted on 11/29/2001 1:56:48 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: chs68
If some people in your community find Santa Claus offensive and divisive, I would suggest that they would also find the lighting of a Christmas Tree to be likewise offensive and divisive.

Ergo, merely calling it a tree...

102 posted on 11/29/2001 1:59:36 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: Gabz
What a load of bunk - why is it the Town doesn't want to name the names of the "2 families" who said they would be uncomfortable with Santa

I read on another thread that the two families were Jewish, so maybe they don't want to name names so as not to torture people with such like Feinstein, Schumer, or Dershowitz.

103 posted on 11/29/2001 2:01:25 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: NoDemocratsIn2000
Shoulda put those recognizable names in quotes, since I'm alluding to @$$hole public figures, not Jews in general.
104 posted on 11/29/2001 2:02:14 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: NoDemocratsIn2000
If Kensington shoots the easter bunny (presumably with a crossbow; Kensington seems kinda iffy about guns as well), could somebody tell the rest of us if he tastes like chocolate?

Actually, Kensington is a beautiful place. When the cherry blossoms are out on the mall in Washington, they are also out in Kensington. Too bad all that natural beauty has to be soiled by petty politicians. Those of us here in Fairfax County, Virginia can see the troubling implications of bloated government that comes from the richest counties. As for the chocolate, you will have to wait. The image of Easter that comes to mind is of another death.

105 posted on 11/29/2001 2:05:20 PM PST by billhilly
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To: billhilly
The image of Easter that comes to mind is of another death.

Understood. Perhaps your church could reenact that event in front of city hall; that would REALLY piss 'em off! :-)

106 posted on 11/29/2001 2:12:16 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: UB355
They tried to get Christmas in there but choked on the word. "Modified annual tree lighting ceremony" says it all anyhow.
107 posted on 11/29/2001 2:15:21 PM PST by Whilom
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To: Whilom
seems to me a quartet of Santas starting with:
"Oh Christmas Tree"
followed by:
"Silent night" &
"Away in a Manger"
followed up with
"Onward Christian Soldiers"

would really tweak the PC crowd

108 posted on 11/29/2001 3:51:08 PM PST by drZ
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To: drZ

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.


At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Sisters lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.


Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Sisters, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.


What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, we the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.


Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.


Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

109 posted on 11/29/2001 3:55:54 PM PST by drZ
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To: UB355
Barf!!!!
110 posted on 11/29/2001 3:58:00 PM PST by Righty1
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To: jackbill
Wrong. The mayor called Ron Smith (WBAL - Baltimore) yesterday and she said that it was not a Christmas Tree but was rather a Holiday Tree.

HOLIDAY TREE?

What Holiday would that be? Couldn't be CHRISTmas...Maybe it's a Ramadan-a-ding-dong tree? nah, trees don't fast part of the day...a Kwanza tree? nah, wrong colours...

Oh, I know....must be a Doc Holliday Tree.

Oh, Mayor...I'm your huckleberry....

111 posted on 11/29/2001 6:45:02 PM PST by womanvet
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To: NoDemocratsIn2000
I’ve traveled around the country quite a lot, and I’ve found that if religious Jews are involved, they would prefer City Halls to put up a menorah for Hanukkah in addition to a Christmas tree or a Nativity scene for Christmas. But if atheists of any kind are involved, they want all religious symbols removed. I suspect the situation in Kensington has more to do with atheism among City Council members.
112 posted on 11/29/2001 7:26:15 PM PST by Fred25
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To: billhilly
I'm pretty sure that the mysterious family names are (1) Bin Laden, and (2) Carville (or is it CarEvil?)!!!
113 posted on 11/29/2001 10:26:01 PM PST by GeekDejure
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To: Fred25
Secular Inhumanists...

Formerly NoDemocratsIn2000

114 posted on 11/30/2001 11:03:38 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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