SIMI VALLEY : Reagans Light Tree in Library’s Lobby

Former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, joined more than 300 friends, area residents and library staff members Tuesday to light the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Local chorales sang and the Balboa Bachelors Christmas Brass played jazzed-up versions of holiday standards while the crowd waited for the Reagans to appear at a podium in front of the 12-foot tree.

After about 20 minutes of music, library Director Ralph C. Bledsoe emerged from a hallway and introduced the former First Couple, who followed.

“Nancy and I are delighted to be here today to wish you all a happy holiday and light this beautiful tree,” Reagan said before launching into a brief talk about the library’s successful first year, some of its celebrated visitors and hopes for the future.

“The library is flourishing,” he said. “I think my roommate Nancy even brought the Gloved One up here for a look around. That’s Michael Jackson, in case you don’t know.”

The decked-out tree behind Reagan, decorated with red balls and bows, ornaments and a red ribbon on top, was one of several seasonal decorations added to the lobby of the library, which is near Simi Valley.

“Once again, I’ve gone on longer than I intended,” Reagan said at the end of his brief talk. “I guess I should get to the business at hand and light this tree.”

With that, the Reagans flicked a switch mounted on the end of a candy cane and the tree lights came on to a roar from the crowd. The couple heard the Royal High School Madrigals and the Aspen School Chorus perform and then were spirited out a side door to a waiting limousine.

“Merry Christmas,” Nancy Reagan said in a momentary stop at the microphone on her way outside.

After the Reagans left, performers and spectators milled around the library courtyard, exchanging pictures that they had taken of the Reagans.

Christy Anne Barker, 17, a member of the Madrigals, wore an emerald-green gown and white gloves for her first presidential audience and said it was everything she had hoped for.

“Ronald Reagan was President for most of my life,” Barker said. “I think it’s an honor to be asked to sing here.”