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White House Holiday Decorations Press Preview By Jeannie Block Bessmer, WIW Member More than 120 local, national, and foreign journalists covered the Press Preview of the Holiday Decorations at the White House in late November 2007. First Lady Laura Bush made the announcement of the decorations’ theme of holidays in the national parks. Shown among the holiday decorations of green garlands accented with gold leaves and gold pine cones throughout the White House were a large model of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina, six panels featuring photos of presidents and first families celebrating Christmas at the White House and visiting America’s national parks, and the original artwork of this year’s White House artists—all in the East Wing. In the Ground Floor Corridor, a terra cotta model of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota and a hand-painted model of the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Arizona were on display. On the State Floor were a three-foot model of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New Jersey and two oil paintings by Adrian Martinez – one depicting Hopi Point in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park and the other showing a waterfall rushing into the Virgin River in Utah’s Zion National Park. In the Blue Room, the official Christmas tree was decorated with 347 ornaments, hand-created by artists whose designs represent America’s national parks, memorials, seashores, historic sites, and monuments. The traditional crèche, made in Italy in the 18th century, has been displayed in the East Room since 1967. At the Press Preview, Mrs. Bush began by introducing the 2007 Christmas artists: Adrian Martinez, the holiday reception invitation artist; David Drummond, the Christmas card artist; and Michael Glenn Monroe, the holiday booklet illustrator. Then she introduced Nancy Clarke, White House Chief Florist, Cristeta Comerford, White House Executive Chef, and Bill Yosses, White House Executive Pastry Chef. After the presentation and discussion by Mrs. Bush, members of the media were invited to a lavish holiday buffet reception. Featured in the State Dining Room was a gingerbread White House based on the original blueprints created by architect James Hoban. It took nearly 3 months to create the cake, which contained a gingerbread foundation and a white chocolate exterior. From December 1 through 21, musical groups from around the country were featured at the White House holiday events, and more than 60,000 visitors toured the holiday decorations. Endnote: The author’s attendance at this event was due, in part, to her membership with Washington Independent Writers. Spotlight on Independent Bookstores: U Street Corridor Spotlight on Independent Stores: Writing Inspirations in DC: Chinatown Inspiration in Georgetown: Fitzgerald Immortalized in Maryland Cemetary Baltimore's Home to Edgar Allan Poe Memorabilia Literary Washington
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