Angelina County ‘kids'

SANTA CAN’T BE FAR BEHIND - Youngsters of all ages gathered at the Lufkin Mall parking lot Saturday night in anticipation of the annual lighting of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Pumping Unit. As the countdown reached 1, the band begans to play “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, the crowd began to sing, but the pumping unit failed to take part - it remained motionless. But, after a few seconds, Rudolph came to life and the crowd began to applaud, and after one more blackout, the unit betgan to pump and the lights came back on drawing more applause. (Photo by Woodie Hicks)

ready for the holidays

Festivities continue in Diboll with December 7 ceremony

BY LOIS COOPER

Editor/Publisher

Despite a few minor problems, the annual lighting of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Pumping Unit, kicked off the beginning of the upcoming holiday season.

Kids, both young and old, gathered Saturday night at the Lufkin Mall parking lot for the lighting of the unit, and after a short delay to overcome technical difficulties, Rudolph began to bob up and down and its thousands of multi-colored lights lit up the Lufkin sky.

Rudolph is an automated pumping unit created by Lufkin Industries which includes a 38-foot dump trailer which serves as Santa's sleigh and will be on display until after the holiday season is over.

In Diboll, citizens are invited to celebrate the season by taking part in the annual Pilot Club Tree of Light and luminary light ceremony.

The Tree of Light ceremony will take place in the council room at Diboll City Hall, Thursday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m.

An inspirational program is being planned followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree and the luminaries located across the street on the grounds of the T.L.L. Library.

The Diboll Pilot Club invites you to attend this beautiful ceremony. Clip and turn in the form, which is located on page 11 in todays Free Press, with a $3 donation, in honor or memory of a friend, acquaintance or loved one so a luminary light can be placed in front of the Temple Memorial Library for everyone to see.