CORAL BAY CHRISTMAS TREE TO BE LIT DECEMBER 15

From the St. John Tradewinds News

The Coral Bay Christmas Tree Cultural Celebration will present its annual Christmas Tree lighting at the Coral Bay basketball court on Wednesday, December 15, at 7 p.m.

As always, all “villages” in Coral Bay – neighborhoods, organizations and groups – are encouraged to present and share a selection of carols.   There will also be a potluck with traditional St. Johnian holiday foods and special holiday foods representing heritages from around the world of people who live in Coral Bay.

There will be three Christmas trees – a traditional inkberry, a century plant and a pine tree.  Community members are asked to bring ornaments for the trees.   Small presents of toys or books wrapped for children (labeled for boy or girl and the suitable age) would also be welcome.   Community members are asked to bring a dish from their holiday traditions and background to share at the potluck.  If information on the origin of the dish is provided beforehand to the Coral Bay Community Council (CBCC), a card describing its history will be be printed to accompany the dish.  There will be hams prepared in the traditional St. John way of decades ago and other special St. John goodies.

Coral Bay Tradition

"This is a Coral Bay tradition begun in the early 1960s," said Alvis Christian, one of the long term organizers of the event.  "Of the founding group, Mr. and Mrs. Eileen and George January and Mrs. Lucy Smith Prince are still with us."

"Everyone is invited to come and carol with us and remember old traditions," said Christian, also the vice president of CBCC. "Please bring a special dish from your Christmas heritage to share."

This year, the CBCC and the John’s Folly Learning Institute are co-hosting the event. For information, contact CBCC at 776-2099 or the John’s Folly Learning Institute at 714-7134. Groups who will be presenting carols may contact the John’s Folly Learning Institute in advance to be included in the written program.

Coral Bay Community Council t-shirts, note cards and tote bags will be available for sale – the perfect gifts for everyone! They feature an historic 1843 drawing of Coral Bay harbor.

This Wednesday event will replace the normal "2nd Monday of the month" forum meeting of the CBCC in December.