The Williams Christmas tree towers over local businesses.

The Williams Christmas tree arrived today and was set up through the efforts of the City of Williams and the Grand Canyon Railway. The Grand Canyon Railway—also currently running the Polar Express—has volunteered to decorate and light the tree this year.

The Parade of Lights and tree lighting ceremony marks the beginning of Mountain Village Holiday in Williams which seems to grow larger each year. The Parade of Lights will begin at 7 p.m. running from 9th street down historic route 66 ending at 1st street. Most people set up around Safeway to make sure the candy does not run out.
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Americans remain overwhelmingly in favor of allowing religious symbols to be displayed on public land and feel even more strongly that public schools should celebrate at least some religious holidays.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of adults believe religious symbols like Christmas Nativity scenes, Hanukkah menorahs and Muslim crescents should be allowed on public land. Just 13% disagree, and another 10% are undecided.

Eighty-three percent (83%) believe public schools should celebrate religious holidays. This figure includes 47% who think the schools should celebrate all religious holidays and another 36% who believe they should only celebrate some. The question did not single out which holidays should be celebrated and which should be excluded.

Only 14% think the public schools should not celebrate any religious holidays.

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When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘Holiday’.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!

Glen received this on an email……..Unfortunately this world (government) is becoming way too involved in what we can and cannot say……………What happened to FREE SPEECH?

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Tree arrives in Williams

The tree lighting has become an annual event which will happen, this year, on November 28 after which will follow our parade of lights about 7 pm. Santa is expected to make a visit, but will not stop at the Williams Youth and Recreation Center.

Santa will visit the Youth Center, on Railroad Avenue next to the Williams-Kaibab Visitor Center, on December 12th from noon until 4:30 for pictures.

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Santa delivers the "gigantic tree hauling permit."

The National Forest Service has reversed its policy banning religious oriented decorations on the White House Christmas tree.

The original decision came down after Arizona school children — chosen this year to design their own ornaments for the tree — designed ornaments with religious themes. Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney Jonathan Scruggs says some of the “controversial” ornaments displayed manger scenes and the words “Merry Christmas.” ADF immediately sent a demand letter outlining why the ornament ban was unconstitutional — and received a speedy response.

“We received a letter from the National Forest Service saying essentially that they agreed and therefore our client would be allowed to submit his religious ornaments,” says the attorney.

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Lack of “permit” apparently causes of delay.

National Christmas tree delayed in Williams.

"Law officers" halt the transit of the National Christmas tree to check for proper permit.

WILLIAMS—The National Christmas tree traveled historic Route 66 in Williams, today, in transit from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to Washington D.C. where it will be displayed throughout the Christmas holiday at the White House. This is the first time that Arizona has provided the National Christmas Tree.

The truck was halted, however, by three federalies apparently concerned that the truck hauling the tree did not have the appropriate “gigantic tree hauling permit” required to conduct such transit.

The urging of hundreds of kids from the Williams Unified School District and the visitors from the City of Williams could not make the lawmen relent. There were even questions as to exactly whose law they were enforcing. Some even questioned their alleged status as law men at all.

City of Williams Mayor John Moore argued with the law men for several minutes concerning the finer points of the law. After being frustrated by the three lawmen, Mayor Moore got on his cell phone and put in an urgent call.
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Route 66 in Williams sparkles.

The National Christmas tree, selected from an Arizona Forest, will stop at 9:30 am tomorrow for a one-hour ceremony and photo op on its way to Washington D.C. The tree will stop at Second Street and historic Route 66.

On the 28th, that location will be the same for the annual lighting of the Williams Christmas tree following the Williams Parade of Lights which begins at 7 pm.

The Williams Visitor Center at night.

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Tomorrow at 9:30 the National Christmas tree, to be displayed at the White House, will stop at Route 66 and 2nd street for a one-hour ceremony before moving on.

This is the first time that Arizona has provided the National Christmas tree. The tree comes from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest around Arizona’s White Mountains.

Click here for the Christmas Tree web site.

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For the first time, Arizona will provide the national Christmas tree to be displayed at the White House. The tree, traveling from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, will travel through Williams, Arizona stopping at Route 66 and 2nd street for a short, one-hour ceremony on November 17th at 9:30 am.

Everyone is welcome to dress in your favorite winter outfit and sing Christmas carols and greet Santa Clause who is supposed to make an appearance for the historic event.

After the event, you are in the right place to enjoy breakfast and coffee and the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. If it is crowded, which it usually is, Pine Country is right in the area to please your tastes. If they are both full, Circle K has a breakfast sandwich.

Capitol Christmas Tree

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