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THE LEGAL LEDGER 800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM Let There Be Christmas Lights THE STORY BEHIND EVERYONE’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY DECORATION DEC 2022
It isn’t easy to imagine a December in America without Christmas lights decorating our neighborhoods and storefronts. Lights are also a key component of one of the most significant markers of the holiday — the Christmas tree. But as much as we love the tradition, few of us know where it started. It turns out the story is quite interesting, involving famous figures like Queen Victoria, Thomas Edison, and President Grover Cleveland. Though the lightbulb is less than 150 years old, the tradition of lighting our Christmas trees goes back much further. The earliest recording of people decorating trees with candles comes from 1660 Germany. The practice made its way to the U.S. by the 1800s, and businesses began selling clip-on candle holders to make placing lights on tree branches easier. But it truly exploded in popularity in the U.S. and U.K. when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of England posed for photographs in front of their candle-lit Christmas tree in 1846. Aspiring to be like royalty, countless people wanted a candle-decorated tree of their own. Candles on the Christmas tree brightened up dark pre-electricity winter nights and allowed families to marvel at the intricate ornaments they hung. But while they probably looked lovely, the very thought of a tree covered in tiny flames is enough to make most people cringe today — what a fire hazard! Families likely only lit the candles for a few minutes each evening, but transitioning away from them would be a big win for safety. Thomas Edison introduced the lightbulb in 1879 and created a string of lights the same year to illuminate his workshop. In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, vice president of Edison’s Electric Light Company, had a brilliant idea. He hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue bulbs and strung them
around a Christmas tree that rotated on a pedestal. Then, he placed the tree in a street-facing window and called the press. The Detroit Post and Tribute wrote, “One can hardly imagine anything prettier.” But while passersby loved the spectacle, electric Christmas lights didn’t appear in homes overnight. Very few houses had electricity, after all. But the White House did, and in 1895, President Grover Cleveland wanted an impressive light display for his three young daughters. Like Queen Victoria almost 50 years prior, photographs of the lit tree set off a firestorm of envy. Unfortunately, the public would still have to wait. The first commercial Christmas lights debuted in 1903, costing $12 to rent (not own) — equivalent to more than $300 in 2022. While they were rare in all but the wealthiest homes, Christmas lights were popular with retail stores, and the first outdoor light display appeared in 1920. As the process of making lightbulbs became less expensive over time and more homes installed electricity, average Americans began to adopt Christmas lights. They eventually became common in homes throughout the 1930s and ‘40s. Meanwhile, as Christmas lights became safer and more suitable for outdoor use, Americans began decorating their homes with them in the 1960s. Soon, they decided bigger was better and began putting together the massive displays we all know and love. The tradition has come a long way, but you might be comforted to know that some things never really change. Photographs of old Christmas lights show that they, too, were prone to get tangled.
—Nicole Denmon
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LOCKS OF LOVE
SON MAKES A WIG FOR HIS MOTHER Now, Shaha has a piece of her son to take everywhere with her beautiful new tresses. “The color is spectacular, and we had it cut and styled with a hairdresser. Matt said it looked great on me. It sure fills your emotional cup,” Shaha says.
Melanie Shaha is currently fighting her third brain cancer battle. For 15 years, she’s been suffering from a benign tumor on her pituitary gland. Although she doesn’t mind being sick, going to her appointments, focusing on her treatment, and talking to loved ones about her cancer, she doesn’t like looking sick. If you didn’t know Shaha, you wouldn’t realize she was battling cancer. But this suddenly changed once she lost all of her hair. She had two surgeries, in 2003 and 2006, in hopes of removing the tumor on her pituitary gland, but they weren’t successful. Then, when she began radiation therapy in 2017, the treatment caused her hair to fall out. “Not having hair [makes] you stick out like a sore thumb, and well-meaning people can say things that break your heart,” Shaha told TODAY. She didn’t like all the attention and
the looks people gave her in public. So, her 27-year-old son Matt had an idea. At first, Matt joked about cutting all of his hair off to make his mother a wig. But the joke soon became a plan, and Matt followed through in 2018. After graduating from college, Matt began growing his hair out. In no time, he had long and luscious hair. His mother tried to dissuade him from cutting it, but
If you — or someone you know — would like to donate your hair to cancer patients, you can donate to Locks of Love, Wigs For Kids, Chai Lifeline, and Children With Hair Loss. Research donation centers in your area if you would like to give back locally.
Matt wanted to help her feel confident and comfortable in her skin. So, he chopped it off and sent his locks to Compassionate Creations, a hair company in Newport
Beach, California, that created a wig for his mother.
HELP TO MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT Tampa Toys for Tots Creates Happy Holidays
Most of us who celebrated Christmas as children have fond memories of running toward the tree to unwrap our gifts on Christmas morning. But sadly, that’s not the case for everyone. Due to poverty, some people never have the opportunity to experience that holiday magic for themselves. But for decades, Toys for Tots has worked to fill the gap and help parents create the memories their children deserve. Marine Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Diane Hendricks asked her husband, Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks, to donate two dolls she had made to an organization supporting needy children. The only problem was that Bill couldn’t find such an organization. When he informed Diane, she
responded pragmatically, “Start one!” Maj. Hendricks and his fellow Marines collected 5,000 toys for children in Los Angeles that first year.
The program went national in 1948 and has come a long way since then. Toys for Tots now distributes approximately 18 million toys to 7 million children each year. The program runs on local campaigns in every state, totaling around 800 annually. Community members’ efforts make Toys for Tots a success by organizing, collecting, and distributing Christmas gifts. The same is true here in St. Pete. Tampa Toys for Tots runs every year to help families nearby. In 2021, they distributed 57,813 toys and supported 27,613 children. The goal is to provide one large and small present to each supported child. And to make the biggest impact in 2022, the organization needs the entire community’s help. Visit Tampa-FL.ToysForTots.org for more information about drop-off locations where you can bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. If you’re unsure what toy to buy, you can make a financial contribution so the organization can purchase gifts directly. Toys for Tots also constantly needs volunteers to staff their warehouses and transport the toys. And if your family needs assistance this year, you can apply on the website for support from the organization. As simple as it may be, a toy on Christmas morning provides hope to countless children and lets them know they are loved. We encourage you to participate in whatever way you can to make the season merry and bright for the kids in our community.
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BRIGHTENING UP THE HOLIDAYS
INGREDIENTS
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6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks
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2 tbsp olive oil
FAMILY FUN AT LARGO CENTRAL PARK
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2 onions, sliced
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1 tbsp flour
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2 large carrots, cut into rounds
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1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets
Few holiday traditions are more lasting and wholesome than taking the family out to see elaborate Christmas light displays. If you’re looking for the ideal location to engage in this favorite pastime this year, try Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park. This annual festival offers millions of lights for visitors to enjoy and much more. Largo Central Park is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, with a 1.2-mile walking path, 70 acres of land, over 1,000 shady trees, and a large playground that’s fully accessible. It’s the perfect location for a day of outdoor fun with the whole family. But the park turns into a winter wonderland around the holidays, perfect for an after-dark adventure. Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park is a favorite family-friendly festival fit for all ages. Unlike many drive-through light experiences that feel like they’re over in a flash, this event allows for leisurely strolling so you can enjoy the lights at your own pace. And there’s plenty to see, with more than 2 million environmentally friendly LED lights on display that are strung across and around trees to create playful holiday-themed scenes. You can also enjoy more than just lights. Several food vendors will be on hand to keep you fed and hydrated, and rides are available for kids of all ages. Choose between the beautiful carousel or the seven-story Ferris wheel that offers a bird’s-eye view of the entire park — or enjoy them both! A campfire and other kid-friendly activities and sights will likely be on hand. Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park begins on Nov. 24 and ends on Jan. 1. It’s open every night from 6–11 p.m., and it’s free to visit and enjoy the lights. Ferris wheel and carousel rides are $5 each, and all food and beverages are sold separately. Make your holiday season one to remember with a short trip over to Largo this year. It just might become a favorite annual tradition.
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4 garlic cloves, sliced
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1 sprig rosemary
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15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid
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1/2 cup water
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1 1/2 cups frozen peas
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Milk, to desired consistency
DIRECTIONS
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In a pot, boil potatoes until tender.
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In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer.
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4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown.
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
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INSIDE 1 How Christmas Lights Became a Tradition
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What Started as a Joke Became Reality
The Difference a Toy Can Make
Where to Enjoy Holiday Family Fun
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
Banish Trash With Plogging
BOOST YOUR HEALTH WHILE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT HAVE YOU HEARD OF PLOGGING?
Add in different exercises. Plogging doesn’t only have to incorporate jogging — while gathering trash; you can do squats, burpees, lunges, or even pushups. Switch up arms. While plogging, holding the garbage bag in the same hand can become uncomfortable, especially as that bag gets heavier! Be sure to change which arm holds it from time to time! Incorporate sprints. If jogging becomes too simple for you, try sprinting between trash to intensify the activity. Plogging is a great way to reduce pollution while getting in your workout! Local parks, neighborhoods, and common areas are a great place to start!
According to Our World in Data, the world manufactures more than 270 million tons of plastic annually. About 8 million tons of this plastic winds up in the ocean — that’s 3%! Plogging, a fad that originated in Sweden to help minimize pollution, is taking the world by storm. Essentially, you jog and pick up litter at the same time! Some cardio and a giant clean-up effort? It’s a great way to enjoy the cool winter temperatures while doing something good for the environment! Plogging can be done with others, at any time, and pretty much anywhere litter or trash exists. It’s a win-win! The origin of the word “plogging,” according to the Farmer’s Almanac, comes from a combination of jogging and the Swedish word for “pick up,” which is “plocka upp.” All you need is a pair of running shoes, a trash bag, stamina, some free time, and water to stay hydrated! If you’re interested in taking up the hobby or plogging every now and then to make a difference in our environment, here are some tips to keep the activity fun and interesting! Head out in groups. Everything is more fun with others! Round up a group of friends, family, or coworkers and join the initiative together. If you’re up for it, you can even make it a contest!
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