A Truly Wonderful Experience

To the Editor:

Last Saturday I attended the Christmas tree lighting in Sandy Hook Center for the first time. Despite living in Sandy Hook for over 20 years, this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to attend. It was truly a wonderful experience, one that showed me the true holiday spirit and a real sense of community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the countless volunteers who made this event so successful. Santa and his dog happily greeted children and posed for pictures at Sabrina Style. Behind the counter at Katherine’s Kitchen, Katherine offered visitors a pastry and showed them to the coffee and hot chocolate with her friendly smile. At Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, the Kerlers’ wine tasting added a wonderful spirit to the night. All of the businesses in Sandy Hook Center did their part to show how much they cared about the community they are a part of. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company members stationed themselves throughout the area to allow all of us attending the ceremony to safely cross streets and move about. We were lucky to have the Newtown Middle School chorus sing for us as well. Thank you to all of you for the incredible event you helped to create last weekend.

This time of year, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the stress or the shopping or the to-do list. But it is in moments like those created in Sandy Hook Center last weekend that we can remember the true spirit of the holidays. It is this sense of community, the friendliness shared between neighbors, the joy on children’s faces, and the generosity of businesses that make this time of year so special.

While the flurries from last weekend have ended, and the lights on the tree will only last through the holidays, I hope that this sense of giving and spirit of togetherness can remain in our community throughout the coming year.

With best wishes this holiday season,

Sarah Hemingway

10 Overlook Knoll, Sandy Hook                               December 9, 2009