Friends bring holiday spirit-filled tree to Holmes Beach on Christmas Day
HOLMES BEACH -- They approached the tree frequently on Christmas Day in delight. Some snapped photos with their cell phones, and others opted to pose before it.
There it stood as people sunbathed nearby -- a Christmas tree on Manatee Public Beach.
"We feel wonderful. This is our fifth year coming and we're just happy to spread joy to folks that live in the area and folks that live across the whole world," said Evelyn Goss, who with her husband, D., and friends, Trish and Dean Chandler, came up with the idea to bring holiday cheer to the beach.
Evelyn, who works and lives with her husband in Colony Cove, said people from all over stopped by to see the tree.
"We have people from all over the world -- Toronto, Germany, Italy, India, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia," the 63-year-old said. "And my relatives are also here -- my cousins from Germany."
The tree was decorated with blue ornaments, green glass ball ornaments and artificial goldflowers.
A blue sign hanging from the tree read: "Some of my best friends are flakes."
Different pieces of decor stood before the tree, including a Santa Claus holding a surf board.
"Whose tree is this?" asked 61-year-old Geetha Pallegar with a wide smile. Her eyes took in the tall tree.
The Bradenton resident was at the beach with family when she noticed it. She said bringing this tree to the beach was a good idea and thanked the Gosses and Chandlers.
"Bringing peace and happiness and joy to this season," Pallegar said as she pointed at the Christmas tree with her right hand. "Bradenton needs it. We all need it, especially on the beach."
Pallegar's friend, Shyla Prakash , agreed it was a nice idea.
"Beautiful," the 63-year-old said, nodding her head.
Few minutes went by without someone stopping to marvel at the tree.
Debbie Parro, visiting from Niagara Falls, Canada, took a photo in front of it with her cousin, Michele Phillippe, 53, and Phillippe's husband, Chris Fitzpatrick, 54.
Parro, 64, said she thought the tree was so cool when she first saw it last year. She remembers posting a photo onto her Facebook page and receiving an overwhelming response from friends.
"Last year when we saw it, it was lit up with candy canes and it was just so neat," Parro said. "I got so much feedback on Facebook when I posted."
Parro's cousin said they came to the beach on Christmas Day because of the tree.
"I think it's the most cool thing, to see a tree in the middle of a beach and it's like it's grown out of the beach," Phillippe said. "I think there's nothing quite like it."
The comments touched Trish, who works as a real estate agent with Michael Saunders & Co. Emotional, she stood nearby as more people gathered in front of the tree.
"It just gives me so much joy to give back," the 57-year-old said as she wiped tears from behind her sunglasses. "And to see people so happy, from something very small that we do."
Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.
This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Friends bring holiday spirit-filled tree to Holmes Beach on Christmas Day ."