The Payson Roundup /

Andy Towle/Roundup - atowle@payson.com

As usual, Santa and Mrs. Claus were surrounded by children and members of the media during this surprise visit.

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The 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree touched down in Payson briefly Tuesday night on its cross country journey to Washington D.C. Some 500 residents turned out to catch a glimpse of the 64-foot blue spruce from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This is the first time a Capitol tree has come from Arizona since 1970, when the tradition of giving a Christmas tree, known as the “People’s Tree,” to Congress began. Last year, a 73-foot subalpine fir from Bitterroot National Forest in Montana was selected. In celebration of the tree and his upcoming retirement in January, Jim Payne, Arizona issues management/regional media officer with the Forest Service, grew out his beard, giving himself an uncanny resemblance to Santa Clause. Payne is an official escort for the tree and will stay with it on its 3,000 mile, three-week tour.

November 12, 2009