First Hawleyville Tree Lighting Is An Event For All

By Nancy K. Crevier

Following on the heels of the Annual Tree Lighting in Ram Pasture, Friday evening, December 3, at 6:30 pm, and the Sandy Hook Center Tree Lighting and festivities, Saturday, December 4, beginning at 4:30  pm, the inaugural Hawleyville Tree Lighting will take place Sunday, December 5, from 5 to 6 pm, in the Hawleyville Post Office Plaza, at the junction of 23 Barnabas Road and Route 25.

Hawleyville businesses, the Committee to Save Hawleyville Post Office, Hawleyville Environmental Advocacy Team (HEAT), and Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Department invite the public to attend the event, which will include an appearance by Santa and Mrs Claus, and plenty of refreshments, including mini pizza slices from Papa Al’s Pizza, fortune cookies from New Main Moon, hot chocolate from Newtown Dunkin’ Donuts (served up by Hawleyville resident Dot Dwyer and Hawleyville Post Office clerk Laura Smolen), and sparkling cider from Hawleyville Wine & Liquors.

Hawleyville historian Edgar Beers will read from the Hawleyville Chapel Association First Christmas Entertainment program of 1899, and Tom Dwyer, composer of the “Talking Post Office Blues,” will be the featured musician. Mr Dwyer will lead the crowd in singing songs of the season, accompanied by guitar.

Children are encouraged to bring their letters to mail to Santa, since the event is convenient to the post office.

Most importantly, said tree lighting organizer Ann Marie Mitchell, is the opportunity to donate a wrapped toy, for a boy or girl, for The Newtown Fund.

“Terry and Jack Laslo have been a part of this collection and distribution effort for years,” said Ms Mitchell, “and it was [Terry’s] enthusiasm that captured us to participate.”

Gift collection is underway from now until Sunday afternoon, with plastic tubs placed in each of the business sites at Hawleyville Post Office Plaza.

Members of Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company will have fire trucks on site for transportation of Santa and Mrs Claus, said Ms Mitchell, and to provide lights and security.