Volunteers for the Christmas Tree Lane Association (CTLA) in Altadena, California have been lighting the giant deodar cedars on Christmas Tree Lane since 1920 when Fred Nash, a local merchant, came up with the bright idea to light the beautiful trees that the Woodbury brothers had planted along the street in 1885. But this year's lighting ceremony was one of the most meaningful. Why? Because the weekend before the ceremony, hurricane force Santa Ana winds not only blew down many of the lights, but knocked down one of the massive deodars and caused power outtages throughout the entire San Gabriel Valley.
Tony and Maureen Ward, Lane Foreman and President of CTLA, admitted after the ceremony that they were surprised they had been able to pull it off. "Up until the day before the ceremony County and Edison crews were still cutting down broken limbs and testing power lines," said Maureen.
Fortunately, folks who came from all over Southern California to witness the ceremony were not disappointed. When the trees lit up, a tremendous cheer rose from the crowd. As Maureen pointed out at the after party, the success of the lighting was a tribute not only to volunteers who worked tirelessly to repair lines, but to LA County and Edison crews.
With an economy mired in one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, this Christmas season is tough for many. But for those who witnessed the 91st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Christmas Tree Lane, this Christmas is a time of miracles.
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