Published in the Patriot-News, by Jan Murphy

December 2, 2013

Workers from the state Department of General Services have begun hanging ornaments on the 20-foot Douglas Fir that was carried into the state Capitol Rotunda last week.

It along with a tree outside on the front steps of the Capitol will be lit by Gov. Tom Corbett and first lady Susan Corbett during a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday. Corbett spokesman Jay Pagni said the ceremony will take place at the tree outside, weather permitting.

The Corbetts last year brought back the tradition of lighting the tree outdoors that hadn't been done since the 1980s. Corbett said the location of the tree-lighting was moved outside to share the “spirit of peace and friendship with the people of the city and the many visitors” who come to Harrisburg.

His administration even brought in snow-making machines for last year's ceremony to add a wintry touch to that evening's mild temperatures. Pagni was quiet when asked if "snow" was planned to fall at this year's event.

The theme of Thursday's ceremony is "Home for the Holidays" and will pay tribute to those in Pennsylvania’s armed forces who are joining their families at home to celebrate the holidays.

(Jan Murphy, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at state Capitol," Patriot-News, 12/2/13)