Jeff Kramer (Syracuse New Times humor columnist) apparently made his way onto Santa’s “nice list” this year. Reporting from Washington, D.C., Jeff attended one of the White House Holiday parties this week with President Barack Obama and the first lady in attendance. While the secret service didn’t allow Jeff to hold a New Times when he posed for a photo with the president and first lady, he was able to sneak a few shots during the festivities!
Jeff Kramer stands in front of a White House Christmas tree, also known as the “Blue Room Christmas tree,” which honors military families. The 18½-foot high Douglas fir tree came from from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and is decorated with hand-drawn greeting cards by military children from across the country. First lady Michelle Obama said, “Find a way to honor these great Americans, not just during the holidays, but every day. And let us never forget the debt that we owe these men and women and their amazing families.” Share your message of thanks through the USO by CLICKING HERE.
In the northeast corner of the White House’s East Room, Jeff Kramer poses with a portrait of “Lady Washington” in the background. The portrait, entitled “Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (wife of George Washington)” by Eliphalet Frazer Andrews was painted posthumously and was based on a Gilbert original portrait of her.
Mingling with the D.C. elite, Jeff Kramer poses in front of the presidential portrait titled “William Jefferson Clinton – Presidential portrait. 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001)” by artist Simmi Knox. For more information about the Art in the White House – CLICK HERE
To read this week’s Kramer column about “safe travels” – CLICK HERE
(Don’t forget to come back next week to read Jeff’s story about what it was like to attend the parties and meet the president)