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.
Is there no end to the spin that the idiots out in Montgomery County will resort to in a feeble effort to justify their stupidity?
Careful readers of the press release from the Town of Kensington will note that the word "Christmas" appears no where in the text of the press release. Only some reference to an "annual tree lighting".
Hey, you guys in Kensington: It's a CHRISTMAS TREE you are lighting. It, like Santa Claus, is a part of American Culture. For at least a century.
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.
Who knows ... but initial and all subsequent press reports stated that the decision was made because two families in the city objected to Santa Claus, saying that he made them feel "uncomfortable".
Can you say "spinning the story"?
I knew you could.
That reminds me of the scene in "Zorro:The Gay Blade" where all of the men in the city show up for the Alcalde's Masked Ball dressed as Zorro.
"Here I am!"
Town office
3710 Mitchell St.
Kensington, MD 20895
Tel: 301-949-2424
Fax: 301-949-4925
No it is not.
It is about CHRISTmas. Note the first part of that word: Christ
Your silly little town is showing itself to be an enemy of Christianity and of Christians everywhere.
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.
Nope - haven't you heard, they don't like smoke in Montgomery County either!!!!!!
A Christmas tree is for Christmas, not for a PC mixed “holiday season”.
The events of September 11 require a different kind of ceremony.
Christmas has to do with December 25. It they want a memorial service for September 11, they can have one of those also. Christmas is not “Memorial Day”.
the Levine School of Music
I bet they won’t be singing any Christian songs.
This event represents a de-Christification of a Christian holiday by non-Christians and anti-Christians.
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