10th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Country Christmas expected to draw thousands of visitors to Ramona

By Ruth Lepper

Crowds of people in the holiday spirit are expected to take part in the festivities at the 10th annual Country Christmas on Dec. 11.

Jeff Ruland, chairman of the event sponsored by Ramona Chamber of Commerce, said attendance traditionally numbers between 4,000 and 5,000 people, both from the local community and other areas. The reason for this, he said, is because there is always something for everybody, adults and children alike.

"Santa's going to make a grand entrance. Its going to be a surprise," he said. "We have another thing were doing this year that we haven't done in years past. James Dukes and Barnett elementary schools choir, Olive Peirce Middle School and Ramona High School choirs, they're all going to sing."

There will be three 20-minute sessions for the choirs to perform during the event.

Twelve live trees, decorated by elementary school students, will be set up around a 40-foot Tree of Lights that will be turned on at dusk.

"Parents get excited about that," Ruland said of the decorated trees. "They come out and take pictures of their kids by the trees."

There also will be a petting zoo, a Jumbo Jump and tractor-drawn hay rides. A photographer will be on hand for photos with Santa.

Numerous vendors will be selling holiday gifts, homemade crafts and food.

"Various businesses will be there representing their wares," Ruland said. "The support from the community this year has just been phenomenal."

Opportunity drawings will take place throughout the evening, with the grand finale being a prize worth about $5,000.

"It's a total room make-over," Ruland said, adding that the winner will receive new carpeting, walls painted, a ceiling fan and much more for the room of their choice.

Country Christmas will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the vacant lot on Main Street between 13th and 14th streets.

Ruland has been a director on the chamber board for two years. In the past, he has helped on the committee for Country Christmas but this year decided to take charge of it.

"I've always been the helper behind the scenes," he said. "This year I kind of stepped up to the plate and said I'll put it on. The really neat thing is I'll have the same committee I've worked with over the years."

Ruland also will be taking over the of leadership of Ramona Chamber of Commerce when he is installed as president on Jan. 14. He expects it to be smooth sailing for the rest of the year as he picks up the ball from Karen Clendenen who has served as chamber president for the past two years. She is credited with building a firm foundation for the chamber, its directors and its members.

"The bottom line is that Karen Clendenen in the last two years has really taken the chamber into a very positive direction" he said. "I really just want to continue that, steering the ship. I don't feel the need to stand up and change things. I just want to continue what she's been doing."

County Supervisor Dianne Jacob will install Ruland, along with Bill Jenkin, Farmer's Insurance, as first vice president; Jo Fox, Prudential California Realty, as second vice president; Sharon Davis, Sharon Davis Interior Design as secretary; and Vince Franano, Main Street Auto Care, as treasurer; directors Jeff Uran, EarthEggs; Bryan Woods, Ramona Pharmacy; Dan Vengler, Daniel's Liquor & Deli; Patrick Meskell, Edward Jones; Jason Bowser, Union Bank of California; Chuck DeMund, DeMund Foundation; Ralph Mittman, Manzanita Press; Charlotte Jensen, Charlotte's-in-the-Country Antiques; and Tricia Hansen, Ramona Sentinel; at the annual installation dinner at San Vicente Inn. Karen Clendenen, Century 21-San Vicente, will remain on the board as immediate past president.

Ruland and his wife, Amy Ruland, own the Sears store in Ramona, which is now in its seventh year here. He worked in sales at a Sears store in Prescott, Ariz., before they moved to Ramona eight years ago. They have four children: Brianna, 14; Cammeron, 11; Ariana, 7; and Brandon, 4.