`operation Offset' A Mission U.s. And Military Can't Afford

Everhart robbed of 2 pieces

By KEVIN AMERMAN kamerman@leader.net
 Sunday, November 20, 2005 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE - Just days ago, it was a slumping tree, damaged at its base
and posing a threat to nearby electrical wires. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If it was any other time of the year, the tree, which had to be cut down,
would probably have been headed to a wood chipper. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Instead, the 25-foot Scotch pine stood at the center of a celebration on
Public Square on Saturday night and will remain there throughout the holiday
season as the city's Christmas tree. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It got a second life," said Mayor Tom Leighton. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The tree had been located on a city right-of-way at Wilkes-Barre Boulevard
and Conyngham Avenue. It was damaged recently by strong winds, said Butch
Frati, the city's planning and development director. On Tuesday, city workers
hauled it to Public Square and erected it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton said he believes the tree was "snapped at its base" and city
officials were worried that winds would blow the tree onto electrical wires. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 People gathered around the glowing tree Saturday night as The Kingston
Seventh Day Adventist Church Choir belted out songs including "Silent Night,"
"Jingle Bells," and "Noel" during the annual tree-lighting ceremony. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton stood by his daughter, 14-year-old Courtney, as she pulled a lever
that illuminated hundreds of green, red and gold bulbs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wearing a Santa hat, Julie Klocko of Inkerman, Jenkins Township, said she
didn't notice anything wrong with the tree, which is supported by cables that
run to three neighboring trees in the square. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's beautiful," said Klocko who brought her two granddaughters,
5-year-old Kyla and 2-year-old Karyn Klocko. "Nothing's perfect in this world,
but it's as perfect as perfect can be." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Klocko said she enjoyed listening to the Christmas carols and said as long
as it's near Thanksgiving, it's not too early to hear them. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I love the songs and the lights and everything." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton was pleased with the turnout, saying he believes the crowd that
gathered around the tree for the ceremony consisted of about 250 people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He said last year about 300 people took part in the celebration, but in
years prior to that, the city sometimes only drew crowds of 10-20 people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's beautiful. Nothing's perfect in this world, but it's as perfect as
perfect can be. I love the songs and the lights and everything." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Julie Klocko Jenkins Township &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b's Tree: From A Risk To Redemption