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Some twinkles for all ages Photos by Bob Pennell Tree-lighting draws crowd to park Angie Gowen of Prineville shows off a reindeer named Jeanie, also known as Comet, at Tuesday night's Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Vogel Park in Medford. The reindeer, from the "Operation Santa Claus" ranch in Redmond, drew a flock of young admirers. "I like Rudolph," said 6-year-old Nicole Bellm of Medford, who had never seen live reindeer before. Gowen said that when kids ask why Rudolph's nose isn't lit up, she answers that only happens on Christmas Eve when it's foggy. When kids ask if reindeer really can fly, she answers of course they can -- otherwise, she wouldn't have the reindeer tied down. "The kids' faces are the best. You just see these big wide eyes -- they don't stop," Gowen said. She and her husband, Todd, show the reindeer on displays and in parades. The next stop for the reindeer before their big night Christmas Eve is in Carmichael, Calif. Other attractions were a performance by the North and South Medford High School choirs, the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire truck and the lighting of the town Christmas tree. In his last official act as Medford mayor, Jerry Lausmann said a prayer and hit the switch to illuminate the tree, which stretches almost 42 feet tall. "May all the best that you dream for come true," Lausmann said. Scott Henselman, who organized the event with his wife, Leesa, said the crowd was estimated at 2,300. Last year's event drew about 1,800 people. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA