Tree Lightings Illuminate Local Holiday Celebrations
Three evenings of celebration illuminated the holiday season’s start in Newtown, as families, friends, and loved ones gathered for a trio of Christmas/holiday tree lightings this past weekend.
A crowd was gathered as activities began on Friday, December 4, for the 31st Annual Ram Pasture Tree Lighting. The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Sandy Hook Center was held on Saturday, December 5, and the 6th Annual Hawleyville Tree Lighting was held at Hawleyville Plaza on Sunday, December 6.
The Lathrop School of Dance Senior Dance Team kicked off performances for the 31st Annual Ram Pasture Tree Lighting on Friday. The dancers were followed by Newtown High School’s a capella all-male singing group The XY Chromotones, and then the NHS Concert Choir.
Diana Johnson, a longtime member of the Ram Pasture Tree Light Committee, noted that 31 years ago the annual tree lighting tradition began with a tree and a small committee. Since then, she noted, the annual event has continued to “grow and grow and grow.”
Ms Johnson welcomed the gathered crowd alongside Newtown Chamber of Commerce President Tim Haas. Mr Haas thanked Ms Johnson and Janet Woycik, who could not attend the event, for their many years of serving on the Christmas Tree Committee. The crowd later cheered for Ms Woycik on Ms Johnson’s count, sharing their appreciation for her efforts over the years.
“You two have set up a great tradition in Newtown,” said Mr Haas.
Ms Johnson thanked the members of the Christmas Tree Committee for their work before thanking others who also helped make the 31st Annual Ram Pasture Tree Lighting possible.
“It takes a lot of hands, a lot of people, to really put this together,” said Ms Johnson, who later acknowledged Newtown Parks & Recreation and the Newtown Public Works Department for helping to make the event possible along with a long list of other community members who helped.
“It’s a wonderful celebration to come out and celebrate Christmas,” said Mr Haas. “Thank you so much for coming out tonight. We are delighted to sponsor this event.”
Jen Landgrebe, director of account management at Curtis Packaging, lit both the decorated trees at Ram Pasture around 7 pm after all of the performances were done. Children sat on father’s shoulders, friends huddled near one another, and steaming travel mugs were held tight in hands as the crowd waited for the lights to be switched on.
Saturday In Sandy Hook
The next night, hundreds of faces silently turned toward a darkened street corner in Sandy Hook Center for the weekend’s second tree lighting. Scott Beals steadied his camera, aiming at the shadows and waiting. He and his wife Kathy were among residents clogging the sidewalks that evening as people around them came back to life when the first of two trees suddenly lit up with multi-colored lights.
Throwing its rainbow over the faces of carolers, and parents holding the hands of their children, was the tree at The Glen, at 2 Washington Avenue. Strands of yellow, blue, green and red lights stripe the tree top to bottom. Glances soon flew across the street as green and white lights lit another tree, this one planted at the corner of Washington Avenue and Riverside Road, now illuminating its hillside.
Among those seizing their chance for a photograph with both sparkling trees behind them were Mark and Michelle Corna, using their phone held at arm’s length for a photo.
Children clustered around a DJ earlier, singing about a magical snowman, and giggling about Santa Claus coming to town. Blinking back flakes of artificial snow pumped into the night were Maureen and Bill Pendergast with son and daughter James and Alison, waiting their chance to chat with Santa, who listened to children’s Christmas wishes on the walk outside Sandy Hook Hair Co.
Brothers Stephen and Brian Sibley also took their turn with St Nick, looking up at his plump white beard and bright red suit. Tom Mapes carried his daughter Kelly through the snow on his shoulders, also heading toward Santa.
With their clothes and hair pulsing with festive light, Deb Aurelia Halstead and a small group of friends all wore flashing decorations. With her were Deb Moran and her pup Rocko, Sue Blenar, and young ladies Sophia Blanar and Emma Guilfoil. Passing the group was Dana Maceli, who reached for the holiday bell that Santa handed to her.
Indoors, the local businesses also celebrated the season. Sandy Hook Hair Co. owner Bonnie Fredericks each year sets up a large buffet and welcomes guests to an open house. Tucked in a quiet corner were Nick Randle and Zoe Lloyd, members of the high school alto sax section. The two later joined a larger group to play more songs on the front steps of the hair salon.
The saxophones trilled as footprints scuffed the snow where young Cameryn Egan stood by a fir dressed in ornaments. She soon took her turn greeting Santa, stealing a spark of holiday magic from his twinkling eyes.
Three Trees In Hawleyville
Sunday, December 6 brought the “last but not least” of Newtown’s three tree lighting events, as Hawleyville Fire & Rescue teamed up with Bethel’s Stony Hill volunteers and the Stony Hill Four Corners Association to illuminate three trees adjacent to the neighborhood Post Office.
After brief remarks by Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker and Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, Newtown Bee Associate Editor and MC John Voket led nearly 100 residents and families who gathered for the 6th annual event caroling “Jingle Bells,” before counting down to illuminate three modest-sized pines each decorated for the occasion.
Then, joined by Mrs Llodra, the crowd ran through an abbreviated version of “Santa Claus is Coming To Town,” as a brightly decorated Hawleyville fire truck turned into the plaza with its siren wailing, signaling the arrival of Santa and Mrs Claus. The special guests stepped from the truck to be greeted by the many children who were waiting with their gift lists.
Then, after all the children were taken care of, the guests of honor popped into Papa Al's Pizza to thank the crew for supplying refreshments.
Among the event attendees was Donna Ball, who baked more than 160 gingerbread cookies in the shape of a fire truck to distribute to attendees.
A separate toy collection benefiting The Newtown Fund was extremely successful according to organizers, who packed an entire SUV with new toys for local kids who may have had to otherwise go without this holiday season.