The Spirit Of Christmas

Settles Upon Sandy Hook Center

By Andrew Gorosko

The spirit of the holiday season has settled upon Sandy Hook Center, symbolized by the 30-foot-tall illuminated evergreen Christmas tree standing on the corner of Washington Avenue and Church Hill Road, and by the hundreds of festive lights adorning the exterior of the Sandy Hook Firehouse on nearby Riverside Road.

On the chilly, but dry, evening of Saturday, December 4, about 150 people gathered in Sandy Hook Center for the ceremonial lighting of the Sandy Hook Christmas tree positioned on a small plaza at the busy intersection of Washington Avenue, Church Hill Road, Glen Road, and Riverside Road.

A team of carolers from Newtown Middle School performed seasonal songs before the tree lighting at 6 pm.

Auntie Claus, a cousin of  Santa Claus, appeared at the event. She chatted with children who were eagerly awaiting her cousin’s gift delivery slated for later this month.

DJ Gary Shipp served as a master of ceremonies, providing a variety of Christmas music for those present.

As the six o’clock hour approached, participants eagerly awaited the tree lighting. A countdown recited by Sandy Hook Center business owner Mary Fellows preceded the throwing of a switch that illuminated hundreds of white electric lamps strung vertically upon the evergreen.

As the tree-lighting event was underway, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company firefighters were busy just up Riverside Road at their firehouse, selling Christmas trees, wreathes, and poinsettias.

You cannot miss the firehouse, which is easily visible from passing aircraft. Hundreds of multicolored holiday lights delineate the lines of the seven-bay firehouse. The centerpiece of the firehouse lighting display is an electric Santa Claus standing next to his sleigh, which is hitched to a team of eight glowing reindeer.

In another holiday event, earlier on December 4, people with a taste of things organic gathered in the basement of St John’s Episcopal Church on Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center for a holiday-themed organic café. The church sponsors an organic farmers’ market outdoors in the warmer weather.

Besides holiday foods, such as sandwiches, muffins, and pies, the café provided a showcase for artisans who presented their wares for sale.

Among those showing their crafts there were Don Kopyscinski of Bear Hills Pottery in Botsford, and Julia Provey of Sandy Hook, who fashions colorful hats and children’s dresses.