Date: Fri 11-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Christmas-tree-lighting

Full Text:

Mild Weather Brings A Crowd To Annual Tree Lighting

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Several hundred Newtown residents converged on the Ram Pasture last Friday

night for the 15th annual lighting of the town Christmas tree.

Thanks to spring-like weather, it was believed to be the largest crowd ever to

attend the unofficial kick off of the holiday season.

The event is sponsored each year by the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown and the

Parks & Recreation Department.

"It was perfect," said Janet Woycik, a member of both the tree lighting

committee and the Chamber of Commerce. "You didn't even have to wear a coat. A

lot of people stayed afterwards and visited and talked. Kids were running

around. It was wonderful."

Many residents have commented on the tree's new and improved lights, which

were purchased this year thanks to contributions from several local

businesses.

The crowd packed into the area between Hawley Pond and Elm Drive, while others

took in the event from various points around the borough.

Those who attended were treated to an entertaining 60 minutes. The music was

provided by the Newtown High School band and the singing of the NHS chorus,

including a "Silent Night" solo by Christine Vrablic.

"I think it ranks up there among the largest crowds we've ever had," noted

Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian. "It was like a Hawaiian

Christmas."

The crowd began to stir as the countdown began, 10, 9, 8, 7... Suddenly the

tree was lit, and Newtown's Christmas 1998 arrived with a roar.

There was also a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus, who closely resembled

Newtown's own Earl J. Smith and Marie Walker.

Union Savings Bank and People's Bank served up coffee, cider and donuts.

Newtown Hook & Ladder and the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were also on

hand, as was Bob McCullough, who bused people to the Ram Pasture from the

Dickinson Park parking lot and back.

Once again, the center of Newtown was illuminated with luminaria along Main

Street, Elm Drive and Glover Avenue. The luminaria stayed lit well into the

night thanks to the calm weather.

The only difficulty of the evening came as a result of the many parked cars

along Elm Drive. Several of the vehicles attempted to weave in and out of the

throngs of people leaving the event, creating a dangerous situation. A Danbury

ambulance tried to negotiate Elm Drive and sideswiped a parked car as the

event came to a close.

Organizers thanked the hard work done by volunteers Dan Daulton, Al Potter of

Newtown Tree Service, and Stan Perrone.