ST. SIMON'S ISLAND, Ga. — Update 9:30 a.m. 11/29/2019: According to a tweet from a St. Simons Island resident, someone returned the community's Christmas tree to the roundabout.
Original Story: Is there a Grinch on St. Simons Island?
"The whole attitude was lightened up with the funny Christmas tree," explains Jane Albo, who lives in St. Simons Island.
Someone had put a Christmas tree right in the middle of the roundabout on the East Beach Causeway.
It was a tree that was quickly welcomed by the community.
"Everyone just kept adding to it and it was really just a really nice little tree."
Emily Willis, who makes the trip to St. Simons Island every Thanksgiving says, "It was wrapped pretty with sparkling lights and it had a few presents under it and it was so nice to see you when we arrived."
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But when neighbors woke up Thanksgiving morning, it was gone.
"We are kind of sad about that."
No one knows who took it. But neighbors say the tree was a way for them to bring some joy to the new roundabout since many were frustrated it was even installed.
Albo explains, "There was a tremendous amount of conflict about putting the roundabout in. Most people did not want the roundabout there."
So when someone had put the tree up, neighbors say it made everyone feel a little better.
"It just lightened everything up a little bit, just made it kind of funny."
In the meantime, someone put a tiny little Christmas tree in its place.
"I don't know who put that one up but I hear there's a new one coming that's quite a bit larger."
Neighbors say another Christmas tree has been donated and is already on the way.
But for whomever took the first one, "You're on the naughty list. You're on the naughty list for taking it down."