Woman Sees Jesus On City Tree

[matcom]

<snip>

(October 26, 2005) — Call it a cry for peace, a test of faith or a random act of nature, a tree growing on Rochester's North Clinton Avenue so far has attracted several dozen believers who say they see the image of Jesus Christ on the tree's trunk.

"I see it clearly," said Yomaira Otero of Rochester, who stood in the pouring rain Tuesday with six members of her family to see the tree. She spoke in Spanish to her relatives and pointed out the facial features, including the beard of bark she saw. "He looks like he's sleeping."

The "Jesus tree," as some are calling it, is a silver maple growing on the front lawn of the Hickey-Freeman Co. factory at 1155 N. Clinton Ave. It's a few feet from the sidewalk and behind a black metal fence.

The factory, which makes Hickey-Freeman, Bobby Jones and Burberry tailored clothing, has been at the site for 92 years. It sits in the heart of Rochester's infamous "crescent," known for high crime rates.

"It's a sign from God that there should be peace," said Maria Trinidad, who lives on Clifford Avenue. "There is a lot of crime here. People should have faith in God. This is God giving us a sign."

Her daughter, Keila Negron, 13, said she also believed it was a divine sign, but admitted she had trouble visualizing the image on the tree in the rain, which darkened the bark. She vowed to return in better weather and take pictures of the tree.

Jim Holtz, 54, of Greece, said he noticed the image Monday when he stopped in the Cash King pawn shop directly across the street from Hickey-Freeman.

"I was looking out that way as I usually do and saw that on the tree," Holtz said. "I said, 'Am I seeing things?'"

Holtz walked across the street to see whether the image had been spray-painted on. It wasn't.

"I said, 'We gotta get some pictures of this,'" he said, and he contacted the media.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051026/NEWS01/510260329/1002/NEWS

[Strawman]

1. Someone prayed for him to rescue their cat out of that tree

The fire dept wouldn't come. Guess he got stuck.

[In_The_Wind]

2. *note to self* avoid Clifford Avenue in Rochester

[DS1]

3. I think it's time Matcomnews got a rental car, and went on a road-trip

armed with a case of scotch :D

*sl-am*

This is matcomnews reporting at the site where the Jesus Tree used to live

[matcom]

6. heh

:rofl:

MatcomNews man on the street DS1 reporting live with pocket knife in hand, gaging locals reaction.

seems SOMEONE carved I (heart) Esso in city tree :D

[DS1]

8. sounds about right

:D

[In_The_Wind]

7. LOL

:thumbsup:

[underpants]

9. Aw and he got all dressed up and rode his scooter out there

[UrbScotty]

4. HA! Told you, Atheists!

:evilgrin:

[underpants]

5. Call the Fire Department

they can take care of it