25th Annual Tree Lighting Memorials

The 25th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Newtown will take place December 4, once again on the Friday preceding the town’s annual Holiday Festival.

Residents are invited to join in singing Christmas carols beginning at 6:30, while waiting for the countdown to light the town’s tree at Ram Pasture at 7 that evening.

Hot cocoa and donuts are offered following the tree lighting, and Santa and Mrs Claus also make an appearance. Once the switch is thrown, the Newtown tree remains lit until January.

More than 3,000 bulbs cover the 80-foot tree at the corner of Elm Drive and Hawley Lane, and it takes a lot of effort by volunteers to check each of those bulbs leading into the holiday season every year. An equal number of luminaria are set out along Main Street, Sugar Street, Main Street South, and even Glover Avenue on the night of the tree lighting, giving the center of Newtown a look that is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

The Christmas Tree & Luminaria Committee is in charge of replacing every one of the thousands of bulbs that decorate the town Christmas tree in Ram Pasture. They also take care of boxing and delivering 1,650 candles and luminarias for the evening.

Janet Woycik and Diana Johnson, who have chaired the committee since its inception, have returned as co-chairpersons for the committee this year.

Commercial bulbs are not inexpensive, and in order to offset the cost, memorial bulbs are offered to the public each year for purchase. Each bulb costs $10, and the list of sponsors is published each year in The Bee.

Bulbs and luminarias can be “purchased” to honor relatives and friends who have passed away, to share a message with someone special, or even to honor the community at large.

The first list of donations received for the 2009 tree lighting is printed here. Donations will continue to be accepted through the end of December. For additional information contact Mrs Johnson at 203-426-5418.

In Honor of                                                 Donor                                    Bulb        Luminaria

Ellen C. LaPak......................................... Frank J. LaPak................................. 5

Elizabeth Marie Bissonnette............... Ken Fredrickson................................ 1

E. Z. MacLeod....................................... Janet & Rich Woycik ........................... 1

Isabel & George Woycik..................... Janet & Rich Woycik....................................................... 1

Margaret & Noel Johnson............ Wayland & Diana Johnson ...................... 1

Charles & Ethel Tanger............... Wayland & Diana Johnson.................................................. 1