A STAR IS REBORN CUSTOM BACK AFTER DECADE OF DARKNESS.Byline: DENNIS McCARTHY Dennis McCarthy may refer to:
George Herczak looked out his window last month at the old Clemens tree next door - still dark as another Christmas approached. It broke his heart to see the 70-foot-tall evergreen evergreen, term commonly used as synonymous with conifer and applied also to all those broad-leaved plants that bear green leaves throughout the year. Of the latter, most are plants of the tropics, subtropics, and other areas where the growing season is prolonged (e. dark during the holidays when it should be ablaze in Christmas lights, with an illuminated il·lu·mi·nate v. il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates v.tr. 1. To provide or brighten with light. 2. To decorate or hang with lights. 3. 5-foot-tall star on top - just the way it was when Dorothy Clemens lived next door. Every Thanksgiving Thanksgiving annual U.S. holiday celebrating harvest and yearly blessings; originated with Pilgrims (1621). [Am. Culture: EB, IX: 922] See : America Thanksgiving national holiday with luxurious dinner as chief ritual. [Am. Pop. Eve for more than 25 years, residents of Rhodes Avenue in North Hollywood would bring their folding chairs, blankets and thermos jugs of coffee or holiday spirits to sit in front of this tree. A little before 8 p.m., Herczak would flip the switch to a chorus of oohs and ahhs when the star and more than 500 bulbs lit up, signaling the start of another holiday season. As Christmas approached, cars would be lined up as far as the eye could see, waiting for their turn to drive past the Clemens' tree. Back in 1986 - the heyday hey·day n. The period of greatest popularity, success, or power; prime. [Perhaps alteration of heyda, exclamation of pleasure, probably alteration of Middle English hey, hey. for the display - television stations sent camera crews, and police showed up to control the crowds, estimated at more than 65,000 people. Then in 1991, George looked out his window and saw a ``For Sale'' sign in Dorothy's front yard. She didn't want to move, she told him, but the three-bedroom house was too much for the 78-year-old widow, who needed a walker to get around. George and the rest of the old neighbors crossed their fingers that the new owners would keep the tree ceremony alive, but it didn't happen. A Christmas tradition on Rhodes Avenue died the day escrow escrow Instrument, such as a deed, money, or property, that constitutes evidence of obligations between two or more parties and is held by a third party. It is delivered by the third party only upon fulfillment of some condition. closed in 1992. Holidays came and went, and harsh winters ate away at the electrical wiring Electrical wiring in general refers to insulated conductors used to carry electricity, and associated devices. This article describes general aspects of electrical wiring as used to provide power in buildings and structures, commonly referred to as building wiring. that George and his buddies See buddy list. had worked so hard to weave through 70 feet of thick branches to reach the beautiful star on top. Then, about two years ago, the house was sold again. Walter and Judith Rivera moved into the old Clemens place. They didn't know the history of the big evergreen tree out front. ``Why don't you go over and tell them about the tree, show them the pictures and slides you've taken over the years?'' Barbara Herczak suggested to her husband. ``It couldn't hurt.'' George knocked on the Riveras' front door and asked if they had a few minutes. He showed them old newspaper columns that told how a five-gallon evergreen tree that Dorothy and Edward Clemens planted in their front yard in 1954 grew to be the crown jewel Crown jewel A particularly profitable or otherwise particularly valuable corporate unit or asset of a firm. Often used in risk arbitrage. The most desirable entities within a diversified corporation as measured by asset value, earning power, and business prospects; in takeover of Rhodes Avenue every holiday season. ``You could see George was very emotional talking about the tree - and how it just wasn't the same every Christmas without that star shining down on the neighborhood,'' Judith Rivera said. After George left that day, Judith and Walter gathered their three children around them, and the family decided to give the neighborhood a Christmas present. Walt called his cousin, an electrician, and told him to drop everything. There was this 70-foot tree with a star on top of it in their front yard that needed a rewiring job - quick. George was out for a walk after dinner a few weeks ago when he saw it. He blinked and took a deep breath. Then he started crying. The star on top of the Clemens tree was shining again. Some of the lights were burned out, but it didn't matter. It was shining. ``Seeing the happiness on George's face gave me goose bumps goose bumps or goose pimples: see gooseflesh. ,'' Walt said this week. ``That tree has come to mean a lot to all of us now. ``It's going to take more hard work to get it back to how it was all lit up before, but we're going to do everything we can to make it happen.'' The star this Christmas. Next Christmas, with George's help, new electrical wiring and lights, the Riveras say. George has been busy the past few weeks making the rounds of families who moved into the neighborhood after Dorothy left - filling them in on the early years. Showing them the old pictures and slides he showed to Walt and Judith Rivera, hoping next Thanksgiving Eve they'll grab their folding chairs and blankets and meet him in front of the old Clemens tree to start a new holiday tradition on Rhodes Avenue for another generation. ``Dorothy died a few years ago, but I know it in my heart that she's seeing what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. ,'' George said. ``Lighting that Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. was her whole life toward the end. The last thing she said to me before she moved was 'as long as that star's lit, no matter where I am, I'll see it.''' Well, Dorothy, it's shining again. Dennis McCarthy, (818) 713-3749 dennis.mccarthy(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Barbara and George Herczak, left, were thrilled when new neighbors Walter and Judith Rivera revived re·vive v. re·vived, re·viv·ing, re·vives v.tr. 1. To bring back to life or consciousness; resuscitate. 2. To impart new health, vigor, or spirit to. 3. a Rhodes Avenue star-lighting ceremony that had died. Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News |
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