Poll: Christmas Tree, Real or Faux?

What's your preference when it comes to a Christmas tree?

It happens nearly every year. We drive out into the Bucks County countryside to a farm, and hike through the fields, saw in hand, looking for the perfect Christmas tree. We haggle with each other, each trying to convince the others that we alone have found the perfect specimen. This one's too wiggly; that one's dropping needles; this one's just perfect (until we get it home and realize that it's a lot bigger in our living room than it was in the field!) But this year, I actually suggested switching to a, ahem, faux tree. Why? Because stringing the lights - which more accurately should be called wrapping the lights, given my approach - takes a very long time. And the needles stick my fingers. You'd have thought I'd suggested canceling Santa…

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The Brunette Lucy

Getting Ready for Christmas

Lucy remembers Christmas traditions with her family as she also says goodbye to Patch.

I hand it to all of you who venture out into the world on Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving, I can barely rouse myself out of bed due to the turkey, stuffing and pie-induced coma I’m in. So to anyone who managed to get up early (or who camped out before the stores opened) to battle the throngs of bargain seekers, I salute you. For me, one of the best things about the holiday is that it marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Obviously, Black Friday shoppers feel the same way. The tree goes up that weekend, and I’ll watch every sappy Christmas movie ever made – twice – while I decorate and bake. The kids usually take bets on how long it’ll be before I start to cry, and then spy on me until a winner is proclaimed. But the most …

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Doylestown in December

Soak in the holiday decor while you can, for it will soon be gone.

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About Town

Santa Rolls into Doylestown

The Big Man himself rode into town on the fire company's antique engine.

If Santa Claus were given the choice between squishing down a dirty ol' chimney or parading into town on an antique fire truck, chances are, Doylestown's approach would earn two thumbs up. The jolly old elf himself was chauffered into town Friday night on Doylestown Fire Co.'s 1923 Ahrens-Fox fire engine. The antique, and the Christmas icon, were in the capable hands of Fire Chief Denny Loux Jr. Hundreds of people waited for Santa at the Fountain House at the intersection of State and Main, the literal and figurative heart of Doylestown. They gathered around the 14-foot Christmas tree, donated by Doylestown resident Ruth Engelke in memory of her late fiance, and watched as the lights were lit. The Doylestown Business and Community Alliance…

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'Tis the Season for Sentiments

Doylestown's Christmas tree holds special meaning for the woman who donated it.

Doylestown's Christmas tree this year may be a bit short in stature, but it makes up for it big time in spirits of the season. Each year, the town puts up a live Christmas tree donated by a resident or business, said Cathy Hoot. She heads up the holiday committee for Doylestown Business and Community Alliance, the organization which sponsors the holiday decorations around town.  Doylestown resident Ruth Engelke donated the 14-foot evergreen that now stands in the corner of the Starbucks' parking lot at Main and State. That tree symbolizes a lot of history - and love. Ten years ago, Engelke and her fiancé, Lee Davis, purchased the 4 1/2-foot live tree for their Christmas holiday. Shortly into the new year, Lee died suddenly. After the …

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