This past weekend, the Town of Charlotte Court House held their annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the lawn of the historic Charlotte County Court House.

This years event was unique in many ways, however, it was the last tree lighting event longtime Charlotte Court House Mayor Stephen Walker would facilitate after a career of 20 years as Mayor.

“I couldn’t have done it without a great council being able to support me …” said Walker. …” I put a self-imposed term limit on myself and so this is kind of my last official activity and probably one of the best that we get to do each and every year,” he said during the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

He closed his Mayoral time with a segment from How the Grinch stole Christmas By Dr. Seuss.

Walker said he hoped those in attendance would remember the true meaning of Christmas this season.

The Christmas Tree Lighting in Charlotte Court House has been a longstanding tradition where the entire community is invited to come together and fellowship while ringing in the holiday season.

According to research conducted at Claremont Graduate University, … “when we think of holidays and lights, we think of twinkling or colored lights of different shapes and sizes. This modern, Americanized use of lights during the holiday season centers, of course, on the invention of electricity.”

However, the research said Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, has been given the title of the Father of Christmas Lights.

He electrified the first Christmas Tree with light in 1882.

We believe holiday activities such as the tree lighting as essential to building a sense of pride and togetherness from within.

The lighting of the Christmas Tree signifies a symbol of the holidays for the community and most importantly, a sense of unity.

American journalist Germany Kent said “let your light shine as an inspiration to humanity and be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.”

This season, let us be the reason.

When we all unite for a common purpose, the possibilities are limitless. Let’s your lights shine bright as a symbol of strength and togetherness.