Optimists revel in joys found on Christmas tree lot

November 28, 2010 at 7:49 a.m. | Updated November 28, 2010 at 7:49 a.m.

Tony Smith, Holts Summit, holds his 7-month-old daughter, Alissa, and waits as his wife, Jonni, center, holding two-year-old Lane, decides on a tree to buy Saturday afternoon. Optimist club members George Shull, second left, and Bob Phillips, holding the tree, were two of the volunteers helping out.
Tony Smith, Holts Summit, holds his 7-month-old daughter, Alissa, and waits as his wife, Jonni, center, holding two-year-old Lane, decides on a tree to buy Saturday afternoon. Optimist club members George Shull, second left, and Bob Phillips, holding the tree, were two of the volunteers helping out.

While it might be known as "Black Friday" for most people, the day after Thanksgiving is more like "Green Friday" for Ralph Biele.

"While most people are out freezing in front of some store, we are here, freezing our butts off, setting up Christmas trees," said the head of the Jefferson City Optimist Club's Christmas tree program.

For more than 50 years now, the Optimist Club has been faithfully stationed at the same spot on the corner of Dunklin Street and Broadway.

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