THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411090059
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The merriest holiday mood often turns Scrooge-like on the day the Christmas tree goes up. In perhaps millions of households across the country, Yuletide cheer goes out the window as family members argue about how to straighten a hopelessly crooked tree.
To the rescue comes a new product called Swivel Straight, a Christmas tree stand that supposedly enables one person, even a child, to put up a tree in just one minute. Any tree will stand straight and secure when inserted in this magical two-part device, promises the press release from manufacturer County Line Limited.
The first easy step is to slide a cylindrical receptacle over the tree trunk while the tree is laying on its side. A spin of a specially designed ring secures three clamps around the trunk. The trunk and receptacle are then inserted into a base piece. Even the foot of a child should be able to depress a pedal on the base, which swivels and locks the tree into place. No need to stoop, crawl, scream or cry, assures the manufacturer.
Swivel Straight is able to support a tree up to 12 feet tall with a 5 3/4-inch trunk diameter. The base has a 1 1/2-gallon water reservoir.
Although the product costs a hefty $89.95, some folks no doubt would pay anything to avoid a rerun of the unhappy annual Christmas tree pageant.
Swivel Straight is available through many catalogs, including Plow & Hearth, The Safety Zone, Frontgate, SuperLife, Domestications, The Sunset Catalog and Langenbach. For more information, call the manufacturer at (800) 692-2656. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
A cylindrical device slides over the trunk, a ring secures it, and a
pedal enables anyone to swivel the tree into place.
by CNB