Three Nights Of Tree Lightings Planned

Newtown will host three tree lightings this year.

The first will be Friday, November 30, when the 28th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place at Ram Pasture, at the corner of Elm Drive and Hawley Lane. Festivities including caroling and live music led by student groups from Newtown High School beginning at 6:30. The tree will be lit at 7, and the evening will continue with visits from Santa and Mrs Claus, and refreshments.

(Diana Johnson and Janet Woycik of the Ram Pasture Christmas Tree Lighting Committee are looking for a bright idea: a good suggestion on how to best light the luminarias that surround Hawley Pond and line streets in the immediate vicinity each year. Every year the committee places hundreds of sand-filled, cardboard luminarias to light the way to the Christmas tree in Ram Pasture when darkness falls on the eve of the tree lighting.

The luminarias are usually lit by wax candles, but the committee has become concerned in recent years about safety. Two years ago, the committee tried battery-operated candles, even putting two in some bags, “but they cast only a wan light,” Ms Johnson said.

The cost for the alternative must be in the same ballpark as the current wax candles, she added, about 59 cents for each candle. Ms Johnson and Ms Woycik urge anyone with a brilliant plan to contact them at dianajohnson5418@yahoo.com, as soon as possible.)

The 11th Annual Sandy Hook Tree Lighting will be Saturday, December 1.

Sponsored by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP), events will begin at 4 pm, leading to the lighting of the tree in Sandy Hook Glen, 2 Washington Avenue, at 6.

Among the participants this year will be Connecticut Counselors, offering holiday treats; Faith At Newtown, with holiday gifts and treats; Fun Kuts and Fun Kids Consignments, with face painting and holiday refreshments; Porco Karate, which will host an open house and be serving popcorn; Sabrina Style, with an open house and shopping discounts; Sandy Hook Hair Co. and neighbor Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, both hosting open house events with refreshments; Sandy Hook Diner, with balloons; The Wishing Well, open house and shopping discounts; The Toy Tree, where attendees can pick up 3-D glasses to view the tree; and Wesley Learning Center, where jingle bell bracelets will be handed out.

Graceful Planet Moving Arts Center will lead karaoke singing at tree before the tree lighting, and Newtown Middle School Carolers will lead singing after the tree is lit.

Refreshments will also be offered at demitasse café (eggnog and gingerbread latte samples), figs (hot cider and dessert), Stone River Grille (samples) and The Villa Restaurant (kids eat free from a special kid’s meal [two per adult]).

In addition, The Iron Bridge Restaurant at 100 Church Hill will host a free raffle that will send one person home with a boy’s bike and another lucky ticket-holder home with a girl’s bike.

SHOP is asking attendees to bring a donation for FAITH Food Pantry that evening. Collection bins will be hosted by The Children’s Adventure Center and at PJ’s Laundromat.

Members of Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue will provide additional lighting and traffic safety.

Also participating or partially sponsoring the event are Apex Glass, Haas Insurance, Ice Cream Heaven, Newtown Senior Center, St John’s Church, and Suzuki Music School.

Hawleyville will host its Third Annual Tree Lighting event on Sunday, December 2. It will run from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the plaza at the corner of Barnabas Road and Hawleyville Road.

A committee from Stony Hill Four Corners Association is working on the details, but Terry Laslo, a member of the committee, has confirmed a number of details, including that this year’s event will be dedicated to “two longtime friends of Hawleyville,” Robert “Bucky” Dean and Charles Speidel, both of whom passed away within the last year.

Holiday music will be performed by the St Rose Contemporary Choir, children’s entertainment will be offered by Wayne Lane, and Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive in style, delivered by members of Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company.

Refreshments will be served, including pizza by Papa Al’s Pizza, sparkling wine donated by Hawleyville Wine & Liquor, fortune cookies from New Main Moon Restaurant, and hot chocolate courtesy of Big Buddha Cigar Lounge and Hawleyville Post Office.

In the spirit of the season, organizers are also encouraging attendees to spread the joy. Unwrapped gifts and toys for The Newtown Fund are requested.