After years of an enjoyable way to spend an hour on a December evening, the Bellevue Botanical Gardens has decided that the only way to turn this into an extravaganza is now to make the locals buy an admission ticket. Seems like keeping it simple is not Bellevue’s way. It must be bigger and better.

Come on now, what’s next? Off-site pay parking and shuttles? Umbrella rentals? Espresso stands?

What was such a nice community, volunteer oriented, by donation, holiday treat is headed for “its got to be bigger and better and, of course, all in the name of “safety and rising costs.” Naming sponsorships must not be far behind.

Lets see its 7:18 p.m. and they’re just calling tickets 1800-1850. Hooray! But we cant take in our non authorized mochas. Cheers!

Jim Ball, Bellevue