Civic Center transformed into a winter wonderland

Enter the Civic Center this week and the feel of a winter wonderland will surround you.

The annual holiday forest sports 21 trees this year, and the Christmas spirit is bound to overcome the senses, according to Gary Mysorski, director of the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department who sponsors the event. Each tree is decorated in the theme "Fruits of Christmas".

"The city crew did a terrific job of transforming the place into a delightful treat for all who attend," said Mysorski.

"Bring your family, friends and visitors to see this sight," he said. I think we should have it up in July. Then people who are complaining about the sweltering heat can come in and cool off," Mysorski quipped.

The forest in the Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A, will be open to the public at no charge from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, through Friday, Dec. 21.

A potluck dinner for all entrants was held and prizes were awarded Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Trinity-by-the-Sea Day School with Fruits of the Spirit was chosen as "Best of the Forest" and awarded $100. Two judges' awards worth $50 each were awarded to the National Honor Society for Fruits of the Loom and the city's Grounds Crew for The Fruits of Christmas.

Other entrants included Blue Moon Video with The Fruits of Christmas, Port Aransas Garden Club with The Legend of the Apple, Port Aransas Police Department with Through A Child's Eye, Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association with The Historical Spirit of Christmas, Port Aransas Community Park Swimming Pool with Fruits of Christmas, Island Trash chapter of the Red Hat Society with Merry Red Hat-itude, Port Aransas building maintenance department with Silent Night, Girl Scout Troop 834 with Fruits of Girl Scouting, Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department with The Fruit Loops of Christmas, Port Aransas Latchkey with The Fruits of Giving, H.G. Olsen Elementary School with The Fruits of the Sea, Bill Ellis Memorial Library with The Fruits of Christmas, Homeschoolers with Life in Heaven, Fire It! Ceramics with Community Christmas, Port Aransas Kiwanis Club with Visions of Sugar Plums, Port Aransas Rotary Club with Peace, Love, Hope and City Hall with Our Fruits of Christmas.