Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Trees Around the World

This was sent to me by the CHL Supervisor of Officials. I don't think he realizes my connection with the great state of Maine. Nor did he know that one of my mother's friends participated with the volunteer program by getting on a bus and heading south to help out.

Christmas at Rockefeller Center in New York (?N & S Silverman/Taxi/Getty Images)


Before the ball drops in Times Square, the Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.

A holiday tree is shown lit in front of the U.S. Capitol building (?Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling
evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.
Italy,Umbria, Gubbio town, Christmas tree on hillside (?Fantuz Olimpio/SIME-4Corners Image  s)
The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes
of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city

A 100-meter tall Christmas tree is illuminated on the wall of a Tokyo hotel for the upcoming holidays. (?Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images)
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
Czech Republic,  Prague, Teyn Church at Christmas time (?Schmid Reinhard/SIME-4Corners Images)
Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square,
and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous
Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.
Glass Christmas tree in Murano (?Sandra Raccanello/4Corners Images)
Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world
for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.
A Christmas tree is shining at the Manezh Square in Moscow (?Maxim Marmur/AFP/Getty Images)
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical
troika with the Snow Maiden.

He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.
A 72-meter-tall Christmas tree stands at Praca do Comercio in downtown Lisbon (?Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images)
The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special
enchantment of the city during the holiday season.
Chapel in winter, christmas  tree, K lais, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Karwendel mountains (?Paul Freytag/zefa/Corbis)
'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.
Large Christmas tree inside the  Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris (?Marco Cristofori/Corbis)
Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws
more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
Faithful surround the Christmas tree in St. Peter
In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.
Christmas Tree   at Puerta del Sol in Madrid (?Marco Cristofori/Corbis)
The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol
is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes
millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.

Trafalgar Square at night with Christmas tree, London (?Romilly Lockyer/The Image Bank/Getty Images)
A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been
the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.
The Romer and Christmas tree at night in Frankfurt, Germany (?Wilfried Krecichwost/Stone/Getty Images)

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.
Three trees in forest decorated with lights, location unknown  (?Werran/Ochsner/Getty Images)
Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of
Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).


CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY
I wonder why the press hasn't enlightened the public about it??

Arlington National Cemetery




Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...



Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington,Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

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