Here's a similar sentiment from the Wichita Falls paper







Wal-Mart has Christmas painted on front windows


By Times Record News
December 13, 2005


One Wichita Falls artist is making Christmas merry again.


Ann Jones, who solicits jobs decorating storefront windows during the holiday season,
painted "Merry Christmas" on the windows in front of Wal-Mart on Lawrence Road.






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Jones, whose work can be found all over the city, including on windows in downtown Wichita
Falls, said she's been thanked by dozens of passers-by for bringing "Christmas" back into
the holiday season.


"I didn't know about what's been going on in the news," said Jones, referring to the recent
controversy surrounding several national chains opting for "Happy Holidays" instead of the
more Christian-themed holiday greeting. "But all these people, preachers, even, have come
up to me while I've been painting and thanked me for what I was doing."


The Lawrence Road branch of the national discount chain specified the words "Merry
Christmas," Jones said, her only instructions before taking on the day-long job.


"That's what they wanted me to paint, 'Merry Christmas,' " she said. "That's what I'm
doing."


Calls to the Lawrence Road store were answered with both greetings: "Merry Christmas, happy
holidays. Thank you for calling Wal-Mart."


"That's just good rapport, good things in the community," said assistant manager Carla
Casey. "We're not dictating what (the receptionists) are saying when they answer the phone.
That's just what they want to say."


Jones would be stopped throughout the day, she said, by those entering and leaving the
store, complimenting her work and greeting her with the same words she painted on the
windows.


"Everyone's so glad to see 'Merry Christmas,' " Jones said.


Casey hadn't heard from grateful customers yet, she said.


"But other managers have," she said. "I just don't know."

// posted by Brian @ 12/14/2005 12:05:00 PM