SLIDESHOW: 2nd Annual White Center tree lighting a community effort

The tree that now stands in the middle of Triangle Park in White Center is a testament to the community spirit of all those who made it possible to put it there and get it lit. CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

Patrick Robinson

Sun, 12/11/2011

The 2nd Annual White Center tree lighting was surprisingly well attended with more than 80 people gathered in front of Mac's Triangle Pub on Sunday, Dec. 11. Shortly after 5 pm with Santa and the cheerleaders from Evergreen High School in attendance Aileen Sison began the countdown to the flipping of the switch illuminating the tree.

Sitting atop the tree was a very special tree topper made by Matt Tilton of Tilton Fine Metalsmithing (206) 334-3084, made of stainless steel, brass, bronze and aluminum. It has stars that hang from it and move in the wind. It's intended to be used for this purpose from now on.

Tilton, at 9052 Delridge Way s.w. is also responsible for the new bike racks installed around the community.
They are now at Proletariat Pizza, Company, and Full Tilt Ice Cream, and the Southgate Roller Rink and "We just gifted one to the Sherrif's department," said Tilton.

This year, getting the tree and making the event happen was the task of Aileen Sison, Britney Trujillo, Trevor Hoke.

Tina Duran who lives in Arlington, tipped Sison off about the tree. She has a neighbor who has a tree farm 4 C's tree farm. "They gave a good deal," said Sison," $50 for this big tree and we chopped it down. We picked it up Thursday night and we put it on her dad's trailer and brought it here."

Children's art from Mt. View Presbyterian is placed on the tree. The lights were donated by McLendon's Hardware and were put up by Trevor Hoke of the Center Sign Shop.

The countdown for the lighting took just bit longer than you might expect because, reflecting the diversity in White Center they did it in three languages; English, Vietnamese and Spanish.

Credit for the event goes to:
Families and friends of White Center
White Center Merchant Alliance
White Center Chamber of Commerce and White Center B.O.S.S.

and the organizers wish to thank: