Visitors and politicians who climb the steps in the State House rotunda can't help but marvel at the 17-and-a-half foot Colorado blue spruce standing in their path, adorned in festive holiday decorations.
They can thank the DeFazio family of Cranston, who donated the tree from their back yard off Pippin Orchard Road.
"It's a beautiful tree and I thought it would be a good idea to donate it, bring my grandchildren down there [to the State House] and say 'there's our tree,'" said Salvatore DeFazio.
So how does one donate a tree to the state? DeFazio said he knew that last year's tree was donated, so he called the state and let them know he had a good specimen.
"It was very easy," DeFazio, a Vietnam War veteran, said.
Attending the tree-lighting ceremony with his family was a real treat. And knowing the tree will be referred to as a Christmas tree this year — not last year's "holiday tree" moniker — makes it extra special, DeFazio said.
"It's good to see it back to a Christmas tree," DeFazio said.
If you wish you didn't miss the tree lighting ceremony, you can watch a video recap Mollis posted on his blog here on Cranston Patch.
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