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LIBRARY READIES FOR CHRISTMAS
By Anna Bakalis, [email protected]
Ventura County Star , CA
Oct 26 2006
Volunteers trim trees representing various countries and cultures
What does Vatican City, Japan and Santa Claus all have in common?
Over the next few days, a tree is being decorated in each of their
honor at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi
Valley.
The 13th annual "Christmas Around the World" exhibit will open to
the public Nov. 15 and be on display through Jan. 7, continuing a
tradition meant to teach how different cultures celebrate the holidays.
On Wednesday, several community groups, museum staff members and
volunteers were decorating some of the 37 trees on the lower level
of the Air Force One Pavilion. The room, closed now to the public,
is also the future home of the Discovery Center, an interactive
children's exhibit to open next year.
"I think this one is my favorite," said volunteer Glenda Muller,
standing near the Russia tree, fully decorated with handmade beaded
eggs. Muller has volunteered with the library for seven years, and
helping with the tree exhibit is a highlight for her.
Soon, placards will be put up to explain how each country celebrates
the holidays. But for now, volunteers such as Muller are having fun
trimming the plastic trees, just unpacked from last year. Pieces of
plastic trees lay on the floor, as did plastic wrap that held more
delicate ornaments.
In 1993, the first Christmas tree exhibit had 26 trees, each one
representative of a country that Reagan visited while in office. Now
there are 11 more in the exhibit, including several Central American
countries, and a few themed trees, such as a Santa Claus tree. And
outside the exhibit room, a 17-foot-tall Christmas tree will be on
display in the corner of the Air Force One Pavilion. At the entrance
to the museum, a White House tree will be on display.
Menorahs given to Reagan while in the White House will also be on
display in the rotunda.
New this year is a fireplace near the U.S. tree where visitors can
have a picture taken they can later purchase in the museum store.
Also, for the first time, the library will offer booklets that include
descriptions of all the trees on display, describing each country
and their traditions.
The book will be available in the Museum Store for purchase.
Altogether, more than 100 people will help in putting up the exhibit,
which will include toy soldiers, trains, some snow. Christmas music
will filter through the exhibit.
"We do this every year," said Lilo Holzer, who was putting the
finishing decorations on a tree.
Holzer and other members of the Swiss Matterhorn Club, who usually
decorate a Swiss tree, this year are hanging long, shiny icicles on
the Iceland tree.
The Armenia Relief Society decorates a tree every year. The tradition
in Armenia is to make ornaments using straw. But for longevity's sake,
the group hand made intricate and delicate ornaments out of white
drinking straws.
The icing will come on Nov. 6, when the snowflakes are placed around
the room and on the trees, finishing the winter landscape.
"This is a part of the holiday journey," said Carol Cohea, a staff
member who helped coordinate the volunteers. "It's a tradition for
families to visit when they're back in town."
By Anna Bakalis, [email protected]
Ventura County Star , CA
Oct 26 2006
Volunteers trim trees representing various countries and cultures
What does Vatican City, Japan and Santa Claus all have in common?
Over the next few days, a tree is being decorated in each of their
honor at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi
Valley.
The 13th annual "Christmas Around the World" exhibit will open to
the public Nov. 15 and be on display through Jan. 7, continuing a
tradition meant to teach how different cultures celebrate the holidays.
On Wednesday, several community groups, museum staff members and
volunteers were decorating some of the 37 trees on the lower level
of the Air Force One Pavilion. The room, closed now to the public,
is also the future home of the Discovery Center, an interactive
children's exhibit to open next year.
"I think this one is my favorite," said volunteer Glenda Muller,
standing near the Russia tree, fully decorated with handmade beaded
eggs. Muller has volunteered with the library for seven years, and
helping with the tree exhibit is a highlight for her.
Soon, placards will be put up to explain how each country celebrates
the holidays. But for now, volunteers such as Muller are having fun
trimming the plastic trees, just unpacked from last year. Pieces of
plastic trees lay on the floor, as did plastic wrap that held more
delicate ornaments.
In 1993, the first Christmas tree exhibit had 26 trees, each one
representative of a country that Reagan visited while in office. Now
there are 11 more in the exhibit, including several Central American
countries, and a few themed trees, such as a Santa Claus tree. And
outside the exhibit room, a 17-foot-tall Christmas tree will be on
display in the corner of the Air Force One Pavilion. At the entrance
to the museum, a White House tree will be on display.
Menorahs given to Reagan while in the White House will also be on
display in the rotunda.
New this year is a fireplace near the U.S. tree where visitors can
have a picture taken they can later purchase in the museum store.
Also, for the first time, the library will offer booklets that include
descriptions of all the trees on display, describing each country
and their traditions.
The book will be available in the Museum Store for purchase.
Altogether, more than 100 people will help in putting up the exhibit,
which will include toy soldiers, trains, some snow. Christmas music
will filter through the exhibit.
"We do this every year," said Lilo Holzer, who was putting the
finishing decorations on a tree.
Holzer and other members of the Swiss Matterhorn Club, who usually
decorate a Swiss tree, this year are hanging long, shiny icicles on
the Iceland tree.
The Armenia Relief Society decorates a tree every year. The tradition
in Armenia is to make ornaments using straw. But for longevity's sake,
the group hand made intricate and delicate ornaments out of white
drinking straws.
The icing will come on Nov. 6, when the snowflakes are placed around
the room and on the trees, finishing the winter landscape.
"This is a part of the holiday journey," said Carol Cohea, a staff
member who helped coordinate the volunteers. "It's a tradition for
families to visit when they're back in town."