As sure as Christmas returns on Dec. 25, Chris Menendez comes back to help people with a key part of the holiday.
By DENISE WATSON BATTS
Published December 19, 2003
PALMA CEIA - Chris Menendez was only 6 when he began working at his uncle's Christmas tree lot at Plant High School, picking up broken branches and string, and eventually, hawking the tabletop trees.
That was more than 40 years ago.
Menendez is still there, a lot taller, a little heavier and heaving trees atop SUVs. Every year, he says it will be his last. Every year, he returns.
Firefighting pays his family's bills, but Menendez mans the L&M Christmas tree lot off Dale Mabry Highway during his off hours. It earns him a little pocket change for the holiday. Mostly, he just loves it.
"This is going to sound cliche," Menendez said, "but I love the people. I enjoy Christmas. People who come here love Christmas. Basically everyone who comes here is in a festive mood."
Tending a Christmas tree lot isn't about business for Menendez. He stays away from the accounting side, preferring the thick of the evergreens and helping families find the perfect centerpiece for their holiday dream. He enjoys watching the eyes of little ones light up when they see the perfect 12-footer (even though mom's living room can only spare 8).
For Menendez, the firs are a place of reunions. He has seen many of the same people once a year for more than two decades. Over time, they've become friends.
On a recent Wednesday, a man visiting the lot told Menendez he used to be friends with and sold trees to Menendez's uncle, who died a few years ago.
The man mentioned his last name, "Carroll," and right away Menendez remembered. "Carroll's Blue Spruces!" Menendez said. "Big, tall and wide. My back doesn't hurt as much anymore now that we don't sell those."
The two laughed. They chatted for a few minutes and reminisced. "It's nice to see that they still have the lots going," Mark Carroll said.
Menendez, 48, never intended to make the tree business an annual gig. He was raised in Largo and graduated from Largo High School. He worked as a drummer in a band, got married at 22 and realized he needed something more stable for the three children that were to come. Menendez also wanted a job that would have a community impact.
In 1982, Menendez joined the Clearwater Fire Department, where he has worked ever since. "I just wanted to see if I could make a difference," he said. "And I have."
He has seen his share of Christmas tragedies, homes burned after a dry tree caught on fire. It's one of the reasons why he throws out a tree on the lot as soon as it drops needles and he chops off the tops of those in the Dumpster so would-be thieves get a useless tree.
Beyond the job, Menendez helps organize golf tournaments to raise money for the Children's Burn Camp, various shelters and holiday food basket drives.
He volunteers at Osceola High School where his two oldest children attended. Menendez worked as the football announcer and painted the field before games.
Menendez was more active before his children graduated but, "When we call him, he's always been there for us," said Brad Finkbiner, Osceola's assistant principal for athletics.
Just like at the tree lot.
Regulars recognize Menendez and often call out, "Hey fireman, thought you said you weren't going to do this anymore."
To that, Menendez smiles, then helps them find whatever they're looking for, either something sturdy for antique ornaments or fragrant for ambience. He'll give the trees a fresh cut without asking because a tree that doesn't drink gets dry.
He ends transactions with, "Be careful, be safe."
Menendez doesn't need to say what they know: They'll probably see him next year.
