Many people have e-mailed about the Talking Christmas Tree at Weise's. I've covered that several time,including this blog from about the same time last year that capture all the magic of the holiday's at Rockford's "ramp mall". Enjoy!

Yeah, it’s still there, but before Heartland and Rockford Career College Colonial Village Mall was a major east side Christmas shopping destination. Even when Cherry Vale was in the picture, it was required to hit Charles V. Weise and J. C. Penney for many items on the list.

 Just like today,ColonialVillagewas one big south to north ramp. Many times I’d beg mom to start on the Penney’s side then run down hill. At around the halfway point (Did it cover the fountain) was Santa’s painted plywood and red velvet sled. I’d get a sugar cookie after telling St. Nick what I wanted and where to get it if it didn’t seem to be in the elves area of expertise. Today, with the rise in food allergies, they’d probably make you sign a waiver. I also don’t remember Mom or Dad shelling out 40 to 50 bucks on a photo package. All memories were captured on the trusty Insta Matic 110.

 At the bottom of the hill, there was Weise’s and their unsupervised childrens’ area showing a long loop of cartoons. I’m not sure if they were completely aware of time, but some kids said they hadn’t seen their parents for four or five hours. If that was even half true, they might have gone to Bishops for a bite or over to Twin Oaks for a Tom and Jerry or two.

Finally, there was that Talking Christmas Tree. It looked like something from the evil forest that existed between H.R. Puffinstuff’s  place and Witchy-poo’s castle. In therapists could discuss their patients, I’m sure several have had reoccurring nightmares about that tree.