Tree lightings mark start of holiday season

By: Stephanie Prokop
   It doesn’t matter if it’s real hunter green aromatic Douglas fir or a $39.99 drugstore special faux.
   Whether the lights are white or colored, or both, the glow coming from a lit Christmas tree serves as a perfect festive backdrop to the myriad of holiday errands, Santa visits and decorating customs during this time of year.
   Here’s a list of some local tree-lighting ceremonies taking place around the area:
   Bordentown Township will be having its annual tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday.
   The ceremony will begin outdoors, weather permitting, in front of the municipal building on Municipal Drive.
   The Bordentown Middle School Chorus will perform three holiday songs after a short welcome speech by Mayor Mark Roselli. It will then move indoors to the Senior Community Center next door to begin the award ceremony.
   The award ceremony will include the annual art/essay contest winners. Clara Barton School and Peter Muschal School students in grades K-3 will submit drawings with the theme of "favorite holiday tradition." MacFarland Upper Elementary School students, (grades 4-5), will submit a two-page essay on a "humorous holiday happening." The first-place winners will be awarded a trophy and a ribbon will be placed on their work. Second- and third-place winners will receive ribbons.
   Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony.
   Although Bordentown City has already had its lighting ceremony, residents are encouraged to come out and check out the tree at Farnsworth Avenue and Crosswicks Street and enjoy the downtown decorations.
   In Florence, residents are encouraged to come out for the tree lighting that will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday. The tree is located on 711 Broad St., and the ceremony will consist of a Christmas tree lighting with appearances made by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
   Chesterfield residents are reminded to come and watch the tree at sundown on Dec. 10 at sundown in Crosswicks.
   Residents of Columbus can check out the Christmas tree that was lit last week standing in front of Town Hall.
   North Hanover will have its tree lighting at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 in front of the Municipal Building.