To The Editor:

In September, before the leaves make their gentle trip to our yards, committees begin planning the magic that accompanies the Tree Lighting in Ram Pasture.

Who are these volunteers who enable the sparkling trees and luminaria to thrill us year after year?

The Newtown Chamber of Commerce, the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department, and the Borough of Newtown work together as sponsors of the event, though many volunteers appear from across the spectrum of Newtown’s businesses, friends, and neighbors.

They include Newtown Parks & Recreation Operations Team, Newtown Department of Public Works, Union Savings Bank, People’s United Bank, Curtis Packaging, Newtown Hardware, Santa helpers Bob & Josie Schmidt, Scott Anders, The Newtown Bee, Dunkin Donuts, John Voket, Newtown Police, Fire & Emergency Personnel, The Leo Club, and all of the involved residents who tend their luminaria so that everyone can enjoy this spectacle whether walking or driving by.

Entertaining us with their sparkling energy and multiple talents were The Learning Experience Preschool, The Lathrop School of Dance, a capella groups The XY Chromotones and Lookin’ For Treble, The Ashurst Academy of Dance, and The Newtown High School Chorus and Singers.

Lighting the trees were dancers from The Lathrop School of Dance in recognition of its 67 years of dance instruction in Newtown.

We extend our gratitude and thanks to all, including the donors of memorial bulbs & luminaria through the The Newtown Bee coupon.

We should all be grateful to the owners of Ram Pasture, the Cemetery Association, for allowing us to celebrate on their beautiful property.

Tree Lighting Committee members are Amy Mangold, Renia Marini, Roseann Reggiano, John Moore, Stan Perrone, Janet Woycik, and Diana Johnson.

Diana Johnson

26 Parmalee Hill Road, Newtown December 3, 2018