The Coral Gables Times

$7,500 Cost Chamber Readies Yule Decorations

The three-man Chamber of Commerce Christmas Decorations Committee believes it has come up with the finest program ever. "Christmas Eve in Coral Gables," will be the theme of a colorful display to be placed in Merrick Park, just across from City Hall at LeJeune Road and Biltmore Way. The king-size version of toys under a Christmas tree will be erected approximately three weeks before Christmas. Al Jacobson, a member of the committee headed by Chairman Robert Bradley and including Frank (Mort) Guilford, said that the animated display will top anything put on by the Chamber in past years. This will be in addition to the Yuletide bells that adorn downtown streets and the individual efforts by merchants. "We hope to get the cooperation of all business firms and retail merchants to defray expenses," Jacobson said. Estimated cost of the Christmas decorations will be $7,500, according to Jacobson. The toy soldiers, candy bars and other giant animated figures will be manufactured by Display Empire of Hollywood. The committee is also trying to enlist the cooperation of local churches in a series of carol singing programs in front of the park on Andalusia, which will be closed off for the event.

ROPE, a utility pole, a metal support. Cold, inanimate, unrelated. An absorbing pattern developed when telephone linemen high up on the pole casually tossed their rope down at LeJeune Road and Giralda Avenue.

ARCHED forward, a tense look frozen on her face, nine-year-old Linda Sue Levine, 7555 SW 30th St., is wrapped up in the excitement of a Nik-Hockey game at Salvadore Park.

HERE'S WILBIE, a shaggy dog who asks for so little, only to lie humbly and quietly at the dashing feet of children playing at Salvadore Park.

THERE SHE SAT, clutching two red women's shoes and an empty paper cup. What thoughts caused this far - a - way look on the three-year-old face of Mary Helen Schoen, 1505 El Rado St., as she sat at Salvadore Park?