Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

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Jim O'Bryan
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Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Jim O'Bryan »

Image
Here Dodi at Lakewood Garden Center shows off, one of the many trees we checked out
before buying!

I have started this simple little thread to highlight some of the many Holiday Traditions that
have been important to Lakewood and Lakewoodites over the past decade and decades.
Memories of everything from the Tree, and ornaments at Sterling Linders, to the May Co.
windows, buying a tree at the YMCA or St. James, to the Christmas Tree Bonfire, and of
course looking at the new traditions like the Burning Monkey Festival.

So let's start with a new tradition that replaces an old one.

For decades, everyone in town would get their tree at the YMCA Tree sale. Parents playing
the game of waiting as long as possible, while the number of "good" trees went down. Like
some version of Holiday Liar's Poker. Years later St. James started to sell trees, and it was
on! Two lots, within a couple hundred yards of each other.

Now-a-days we stay local and go to Lakewood Garden Center, where Paul and family make
sure, all of he trees are nice, and affordable.

Check them out today, or tomorrow during Shop Local.

Stay Tuned....
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg

"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Glenn Palmer
Posts: 124
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:50 am
Location: Lakewood
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Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Glenn Palmer »

Love the fact that local cut trees hold their needles longer
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Images from my evening walk. Beautiful Lakewood ... all decked out for the holidays!

photos copyright © 2012 Peter Grossetti
Attachments
Our hometown bank ... "they've been here;  they'll be here."
Our hometown bank ... "they've been here; they'll be here."
lo-holiday2.jpg (392.73 KiB) Viewed 2697 times
Sweet Designs.  Yummmmmmy!!
Sweet Designs. Yummmmmmy!!
lo-holiday1.jpg (388.98 KiB) Viewed 2697 times
The plaza formerly known as Lakewood City Center
The plaza formerly known as Lakewood City Center
lo-holiday3.jpg (390.91 KiB) Viewed 2697 times
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Images from my evening walk. Beautiful Lakewood ... all decked out for the holidays!

photos copyright © 2012 Peter Grossetti
Attachments
Window display at Plantation Home.
Window display at Plantation Home.
lo-holiday5a.jpg (444.36 KiB) Viewed 2696 times
Plantation Home
Plantation Home
lo-holiday5.jpg (361.5 KiB) Viewed 2696 times
Store front window at It's A Party.  Not lost on me is the "It's a Boy" proclamation. (hmmm ... perfect for the season!!)
Store front window at It's A Party. Not lost on me is the "It's a Boy" proclamation. (hmmm ... perfect for the season!!)
lo-holiday4.jpg (376.97 KiB) Viewed 2696 times
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Images from my evening walk. Beautiful Lakewood ... all decked out for the holidays!

photo copyright © 2012 Peter Grossetti
Attachments
Furry Nation.  "... How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) The one with the waggley tail. How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) I do hope that doggie's for sale!"
Furry Nation. "... How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) The one with the waggley tail. How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) I do hope that doggie's for sale!"
lo-holiday10.jpg (469.59 KiB) Viewed 2695 times
Furry Nation.  (all together now ... "awwww!")
Furry Nation. (all together now ... "awwww!")
lo-holiday11.jpg (550.21 KiB) Viewed 2695 times
Deja Vu ... IMHO, this shop always has THE most sublimely gorgeous window displays (all year 'round)
Deja Vu ... IMHO, this shop always has THE most sublimely gorgeous window displays (all year 'round)
lo-holiday9.jpg (400.72 KiB) Viewed 2695 times
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Images from my evening walk. Beautiful Lakewood ... all decked out for the holidays!

photos copyright © 2012 Peter Grossetti
Attachments
The holidays are "family time."  Seasons' Greetings from Big Brother. :))
The holidays are "family time." Seasons' Greetings from Big Brother. :))
lo-holiday8.jpg (367.54 KiB) Viewed 2690 times
Forbici's Salon
Forbici's Salon
lo-holiday7.jpg (285.35 KiB) Viewed 2690 times
Putting up holiday decorations at TJ's Butcher Block.
Putting up holiday decorations at TJ's Butcher Block.
lo-holiday6.jpg (450.21 KiB) Viewed 2690 times
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Heidi Hilty
Posts: 197
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:31 am
Location: Lakewood

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Heidi Hilty »

Peter,
Terrific shots; thanks for sharing!
Heidi
"from the moment we open our eyes,
there is beauty to behold."
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Heidi -

Thank you. I have been feeling quite blue lately .... and the only way I know to snap out of it is to GIVE! Consider my images my holiday gifts to Our Wonderful City!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, ALL :!:
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
User avatar
Jim O'Bryan
Posts: 14196
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: Lakewood
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Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Jim O'Bryan »

Peter

Fabulous photos.

Fabulous thoughts.

Here is another Lakewood tradition from a story I just did.

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Hixson's 14175 Detroit Avenue. Lakewood Christmas store and Mr. Christmas.
Talk about small world, my father sold Bill Hixson this building over 58 years ago. It used to be a car/buggie wash.

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Bill Hixson, signing a Christmas ornament. After this photo I gave Bill a ride to the airport so that he could go decorate
a tree in the White House. This marks the 30th year he has decorated a White House Tree. Which has been featured
in the Observer many times.

Image
Eunice, who has been there for 30+ years helping customers in one of two rooms filled with ornaments!

Image
Like Plantation Home, Bill has window displays from Higbees, May Co. and Halle's that bring back great memories.

Image
Mr. Jing-a-ling display and ornaments!

Image
The new ornaments for sale, many headed to the White House.

See related post. But go check it out today!

.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg

"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
User avatar
Jim O'Bryan
Posts: 14196
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: Lakewood
Contact:

Re: Lakewood Holiday Traditions...

Post by Jim O'Bryan »

Image
The tree at City Hall!


.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg

"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
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