We need a Coconut Grove Christmas tree

A couple of friends who live in the Grove called me to tell me how excited they were about Coral Gables' Village of Merrick Park's Christmas tree lighting ceremony last night. They loved the atmosphere, the music, the whole festiveness of it all. Their kids really loved it the most. Here is Merrick Park's Santa arriving last night.

I was told that many people there last night were Grovites.

The first of three Snow Days is planned for the Grove for December 5, there will be eight tons of snow in the street, the shops will all be lit up, Santa will arrive, but I don't think there is an actual Christmas tree.

There is talk of lighting the few dying palms in the center triangle at Virginia and Grand, in front of The Bookstore, but we need a huge Grove-style Christmas tree.

City Hall has a Christmas tree and thousands of people come out for their lighting ceremony every year. It could be the free food, but there is music and a ceremony and a whole to do about it. Why not here?

A huge Christmas tree in the center of the village would be perfect. Carollers in costume and music around the Grove all season would be perfect. We are a small village; it would be so nice if we looked like what a small village is supposed to look like at holiday time. We don't.

There was talk of 100 Christmas trees being placed around the village at one point, now there is not even one, except for CocoWalk and Mayfair, which doesn't count since most people don't see them or know they are even there.