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<p>KINGSTON &#8212; A simple tree under the Cross Valley overpass on Bennett Street has residents pausing for a moment to dwell on the real reason for the season.</p><p>Originally, a large weed inhabited the spot and was decorated by an unknown someone. Then, the weed broke, perhaps due to the weight of the ornaments placed on it, and has now been replaced by a tiny Christmas tree. Covered with shiny ornaments and sparkle, the tree brings the viewer&#8217;s eye to its color and light, in spite of the darkness that surrounds it.</p><p>Robert Sheffley, owner of American Muffler across the street from where the little tree stands, said he heard reports that two young men quietly exited their car one night, and decorated the tree as an act of community spirit.</p><p>&#8220;They were younger guys and they just quickly got out of the car,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think they wanted anyone to see them.&#8221;</p><p>Paul Linker, of Kingston,was puzzled by the sudden appearance of the tree, but thinks it was a positive effort.</p><p>Smiling, he said, &#8220;It brings cheer because the holidays are here.&#8221;</p><p>As cars pass, passengers invariably take a moment to look at the simple tree that might be likened to Charlie Brown&#8217;s tree, which started off homely but became beautiful because of the efforts of friends.</p><p>Drawing on the words of Dr. Seuss, perhaps Christmas isn&#8217;t about the size of our wallets or ornateness of the trees in our living rooms, &#8220;What if Christmas doesn&#8217;t come from a store. What if Christmas &#8230; perhaps &#8230; means a little bit more!&#8221;</p><p>The tree, all two feet of it, seems to bring that message to passersby as they make their way toward the demands of the season.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Someone replaced a weed at the corner of Bennett Street and Mercer Avenue in Kingston that had been decorated for Christmas with this small artificial Christmas tree. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL122215TreeGrowsinKingston2-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Someone replaced a weed at the corner of Bennett Street and Mercer Avenue in Kingston that had been decorated for Christmas with this small artificial Christmas tree. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL122215TreeGrowsinKingston1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">This weed was growing at the intersection of Bennett Street and Mercer Avenue in Kingston when someone decorated it to look like a Christmas tree. It only lasted about a week before someone broke it off at the base, leaving only a few branches. It has been replaced with a small artificial tree. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL122215TreeGrowsinKingston1-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>This weed was growing at the intersection of Bennett Street and Mercer Avenue in Kingston when someone decorated it to look like a Christmas tree. It only lasted about a week before someone broke it off at the base, leaving only a few branches. It has been replaced with a small artificial tree. </caption1><photoCredit1>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Tiny tree in Kingston symbolizes the real spirit of the Christmas season