THIS IS A TALE OF HOW A CHRISTMAS TREE CAME TO BE.

by Linda Webb

There is a tree in the Square, a very lovely tree, that is dedicated to the late Mayor Vince Whibbs from the Shopkeepers of Seville in 1985.  Multiple shops were around the Square and in the Seville neighborhood at that time – a clothing store on Government Street, a book shop on Alcaniz Street, the Mole Hole gift shop on Zarragoza, which recently closed, and others. 

But I digress.  This tree is not the original tree as the original had died and was replanted with this magnificent tree which has noticeably grown each year.  One of the elves used an app on his phone to measure the height of the tree, 21 feet tall.

For many years, a lone elf decorated the tree.  He bought the lights and ornaments, stored them, and made sure that they were in good shape to use again the next year.  Other elves would join in to help throughout the years.  Then elf #2 moved to Seville Square and started helping decorate the tree.  Elf #2 solicited the assistance of additional elves.  Soon the tree had grown so tall that a bucket lift was needed to put the lights at the top of the tree.

As Thanksgiving drew close, head elf #1 and elf #2 started planning the decorating.  Lights were checked.  New lights were purchased to replace the ones not working.  The bucket lift was reserved.  An actual tree lighting ceremony was planned.  All of the elves were excited and ready to decorate and see the tree come to life.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving was a cold one.  The elves decided to wait a little later in the day to start the decorating so the day would be warmer.  The sun was bright.  What a good day to decorate the tree.

All was going well.  Head elf #1 was directing the crew.  Elf #2 was in the bucket lift.  The lights were in the top of the tree, and elf #2 was working his way down the tree when the switches in the bucket lift that moves the bucket up and down and around decided not to work.  The elves scurried around.  Was elf #2 going to have to spend the weekend in the lift?  The bucket lift emergency phone number was not being answered.  The lift was too high for elf #2 to jump down.  Get a really tall ladder?  Climb down the tree?  The elves got their heads together and decided to try to repair the lift.  They tried this.  They tried that.  Then they tried something else.  Oh my, what to do?

The elves found that they could operate the bucket lift from the ground, but not from the bucket.  Whew!  The decorating could continue and elf #2 would not have to spend the weekend in the bucket lift.  After the lights went on, the ornaments were added to the tree.  Mission accomplished.  A small celebration was held as all the elves admired the tree.

A COMMUNITY EFFORT

These festive decorations are more than just lights; they symbolize our community spirit and our commitment to making Seville Square a welcoming and vibrant place for everyone. Our goal as a neighborhood association is to provide services and enhancements like these, creating a space where residents and visitors can enjoy the holiday magic.