Stroll s Talking Tree speaks to The Independent
BY MARLI GUZZETTA
Every year, the town of Nantucket hosts a special guest during Stroll - a talking Christmas tree, who holds court at the top of Main Street for the kids of the island. The Nantucket Independent sat down for a phone chat with this year's tree, Mr. Tannenbaum.

Stroll's Talking Tree opens up about his childhood and about life as a single Scotch fir on Main Street.

Indi: Hello, talking Christmas tree.

Tree: Hello there. Actually, I'm a Scottish fir and I prefer the name "Tannenbaum."

Indi: Sorry, Mr. Tannenbaum. Tell me a little about your background.

Tree: I grew up in the shadow of Winnikenni Castle in Haverhill, Mass. It's a Scottish castle that was brought over to America. There are a lot of Scottish firs growing there, and I was one of them.

Indi: What are the challenges of being so prominently placed on Main Street during Stroll?

Tree: Being a tree, dogs are problematic. I love the Nantucket dogs. I encourage their activities, up until the point when they start to look at me as a place of convenience. There's a dog at my foot at the moment, and she is looking at me lasciviously. I also relish when there are a lot of people downtown, because right now I have no one to talk to but a couple of desultory trees around Main Street. Communications are difficult, because they're not able to speak. They wave, but it doesn't seem friendly. But I try to take everything in stride. Being of good Scotch blood, I try to keep my back straight and my collar turned up to the wind.

Indi: What do you think of kids who've been naughty all year?

Tree: I think that there's a new year coming, and if you keep your pennies and your quarters, the dollars will take care of themselves. "Mind your Ps and Qs" - as my Scotch grandfather used to say.

Indi: Being so familiar with Nantucket children, do you have any tips on the hot gifts for kids this year?

Tree: I know Bionicles are all the rage, and Legos too. They are really outstanding toys. The Bionicles have some aspects I don't care for, but the idea of being able to put together a robot is pretty cool. Also books. This is a book island. I wish books were made out of something other than my relatives, but books are good. There have been a lot of great books for kids that I've happened to have laid at my feet. For example, the Lemony Snicket books are just outstanding. But in general, I would recommend as a gift anything that is intelligent and well thought out. (Unlike my comments.) The gift that means the most, especially for kids on Nantucket, is oneon one time with their parents, doing something both of them enjoy - sharing that is worth more than any material thing. Even if it's just a sitdown

to play a game or cook a meal together. It means a lot when parents plan an activity for something they both love.

Indi: Can you think of any upcoming events on island that would be great for kids and their parents?

Tree: Well, I have close ties with the Boys & Girls Club, and I know the club has a Breakfast with Santa planned for Dec. 10, from 9 - 11:30 a.m., at the American Legion Hall. If parents are interested, they should call the Boys and Girls Club to R.S.V.P. Also, there's a Winter Holiday Festival, hosted by the Torch Club - an organization of the Boys & Girls Club intended for middle and high school students. It will have food and dancing, and possibly a visit by Kris Kringle. That's Dec. 15, at 5 p.m., at the Boys and Girls Club. Parents should call in advance to R.S.V.P., and volunteers are welcome.

Indi: Thank you, Mr. Tannenbaum. Tree: No, thank you. I'll see you at Stroll.

I