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Hernando Today

Hernando Christmas Tree Headed For Governor's Mansion

Tribune photo by CHRISTINE DELESSIO

Lacoochee Elementary Kindergarten students Beautiful Hernandez, 6, and Mario Campos, 5, help carry Governor Charlie Crists Christmas tree at the Ergle Christmas Tree Farm in Hernando County Tuesday.

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: December 3, 2008

RIDGE MANOR - As Tony Harris can tell you, picking out a Christmas tree for the governor is a big honor.

But it takes some little helpers to get the job done right.

For that, Harris enlisted 15 kindergartners from Lacoochee Elementary School to join him Tuesday morning at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm.

They assembled in what passes for a line at that age, their faces eager with anticipation beneath red and green Santa caps. They had all clapped with joy when their teacher, Carol Boyett, first announced they would be going to pick a tree for Gov. Charlie Crist, or as they call him, "the president of Florida."

This was nothing new for Harris, whose farm on U.S. 301 has supplied Christmas trees for governors Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush in the past. That didn't slow him down on Tuesday, as he confidently stepped into the role of jolly woodsman.

The waist-high youngsters, bundled against the obligingly brisk Christmas weather, followed him down a path towards the trees. Reporters trailed behind, followed by TV cameramen jockeying for the best shot.

"How about his one?" Harris asked, motioning first towards a tree that towered over its companions.

Too tall, the class decided.

"This one?"

Perfect, was the verdict. Before Tuesday, Harris had spent two days searching his farm for the perfect tree. He selected this 12-foot Southern red cedar for its round symmetrical shape - and, of course, because it's Florida-grown.

With saw in hand, Harris got down on his belly and crawled under the shade of the low-hanging branches. After a moment, he decided it was going to be too much work.

"I need some help. Any volunteers?"

Hands shot up. In less than five minutes, the class was bracing for the crash.

"One, two, three, timber!" they shouted as the tree fell towards earth and a cameraman scrambled out of the way.

Harris hoisted the base of the tree into his arms and dragged it to the preparation area. The kindergartners tagged along behind him and belted out a short refrain of, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

Next order of business was to shake the tree free of extra needles and dirt with a machine designed for that purpose. Harris told the kids it was to get rid of squirrels.

The tree jiggled for about a minute to the kids' delight, who exclaimed that the tree was dancing. Then it was over to the net to get it ready for the truck ride to Tallahassee.

Harris struggled for a minute, then called for a volunteer. Hands shot up. Five-year-old Caleb Oakley was picked and together they successfully bagged the tree.

Caleb grinned.

"Never give up," he advised.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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