20th Annual Tree Lighting Set For Dec. 3

Three bucket trucks converged on the Ram Pasture last Saturday morning to string the lights and put the new eight-foot star atop a tall Norway spruce in preparation for the town’s 20th annual tree lighting ceremony set for Friday, December 3, at 6:30 pm. A light drizzle began to fall as the volunteers from several tree services and Stan Perrone of Kesco Electric spent several hours in a well-coordinated effort to prepare the tree for the celebration. This year a new star, designed and manufactured by Gabor Hajzer of G&H Tool Company in Sandy Hook, tops the tree.  The bucket trucks were donated by Steve Carmichael of Connecticut Tree Doctor, Rob McCulloch of Newtown Tree Service, and Alan Potter of Newtown Arbor Service. In the photos, clockwise from upper left, Mr McCulloch, Mr Potter, and Krisztian Mateisz worked atop the tree to put the new star in place. Rob McCulloch, Alan Potter, Jim Cyr, Stan Perrone, and Janet Woycik display the star before it is lifted atop the tree. Mr Perrone and Ms Woycik are chamber members who have been part of the organizing committee for the tree lighting for the past two decades.  Lisa Chaloux and her daughters Danielle and Nicole helped Stan Perrone put the light bulbs lights into the star. Gabor Hajzer, left, and Jim Cyr of JC’s Forestry & Construction of Southbury collaborated to design and build expandable brackets to fasten the star to the tree. 

Thousands of luminaria candles will light the way to the tall holiday spruce when the 20th annual tree lighting takes place at 6:30 pm on Friday, December 3. The event will include the high school chorus and wind ensemble, carols, and a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs Claus.  To help offset the costs of the annual event, donations can be made to the Chamber of Commerce with the coupon printed in The Bee or by sending checks to Chamber of Commerce of Newtown, PO Box 15, Hawleyville CT 06440.