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MONROE: Gaskos holds holiday open house

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   MONROE — The Gasko family hosted their annual Christmas Open House last Friday at their farm and greenhouses on Federal Road as the official kick off to the holiday season.
   ”It’s our way of kind our way of saying ‘Thank-you’ to the community,” said Pete Gasko, co-owner of Gasko’s Family Farm & Greenhouses with his brother Bill Gasko, Jr. on Nov. 28.
   Thousands attended the free event as Santa rode in style on a fire truck followed by a fire works display before being escorted by a group of elves to his seat inside the greenhouse where he greeted children and took photos throughout the evening.
   ”Considering the weather, it was cold, (attendance) was still very good,” Mr. Gasko said. “We ended up with about 400 kids for Santa Claus.”
   According to Mr. Gasko, the open house use to be held during the daytime but was switched to the evening two years ago.
   ”The night is a little more showy,” Mr. Gasko said. “We wanted to see how it looked – what all the trees and lights and the effect looked like, even for the Santa Claus scene.”
   According to Mr. Gasko, it was the first time they offered free carnival rides to the community.
   ”It was something different,” Mr. Gasko said. “We use to have a train ride.”
   Throughout the evening, visitors were able to participate in a variety of free activities ranging from visiting with Santa, carnival rides, pony rides, face painting, sand art, samples from food vendors, warming up by several bonfires, and much more. John Pizzi from America’s Got Talent performed card tricks for the kids.
   ”I think everybody was grateful,” Mr. Gasko said. “The girls got a lot of ‘thank yous’. I think it was a good thing.”
   Janet Donnelly of Monroe was one of the vendors handing out free samples of hot chocolate and coffee trying to keep visitors warm on behalf of Mendoker’s Bakery in Jamesburg.
   ”We give out free cookies, cocoa and coffee to everybody for the night,” Ms. Donnelly of Monroe and an employee at who was working on behalf of Mendoker’s Bakery said. “It is a wonderful event that really ties the community together. I have been participating for two years now and I love helping out. It is wonderful that local businesses come together and offer this all for free to (the community). In a time when most people are trying to get back on their own feet, and businesses are trying to survive after the hurricane, it is humbling to know that the Gasko Family offers this to the community at no cost. All of this comes to our community at no cost, just the love of a family business outreached to their community.”
   For Ms. Donnelly, she found the unique impromptu photo opportunities around the greenhouses impressive.
   ”The part that I was most impressed with was the photo opportunities that were staged all throughout the greenhouses,” Ms. Donnelly said. “(They were) the most beautiful settings I had seen. There was no need to wait for a photographer, or stand in line to purchase a pose, it was all-complimentary from Gasko’s. They really do take the ‘holiday spirit’ to a whole new level.”
   Applegarth Volunteer Engine Company #1 was in charge of bringing the “man in red” safely to the event.
   ”This is the second year that the Applegarth Volunteer Engine Company #1 has delivered Santa Claus to Gasko’s Family Farm,” said Applegarth Assistant Fire Chief Glenn Borsuk. “We had provided this service in the past, possibly in the late 1990’s, but the last two years are the only ones in recent memory.”
   According to Mr. Borsuk, Santa was provided by Gasko’s, and not a firefighter.
   ”It is always a pleasure for the volunteers to get out and help a local business with something that they do for the community,” Mr. Borsuk said. “Public and community relations are an important part of the volunteer service. Local businesses and people that we are able to help out often, help us in times of need as well. It is that type of reciprocal relationship that keeps us in touch with the public.”
   For Mr. Borsuk, the interaction with the community and bringing smiles to the children’s faces was the biggest joy of evening.
   ”The highlight is definitely seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and seeing their eyes light up when we pull in with the lights and sirens going and Santa in the front seat,” Mr. Borsuk said. “The children all get a chance to sit in the fire truck with their parents taking pictures.”
   While there, many visitors also bought holiday decorations ranging from Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias, kissing balls, home decorations and much more.
   ”Our biggest draws are truthfully everything,” Mr. Gasko said. “Poinsettias of course because we have so many are a big draw. Also, the way the girls decorate the wreaths really nice. Honestly, even the Christmas trees, because we have a Frasier Fir which is a very good tree and very reasonable (in price).”
   Visitors came from near and far for the occasion. For some, it was a family tradition. For others it was their first time.
   ”We come here in the spring and in the fall to do some planting and buy all our shrubbery here,” said Christine Petosa of Fort Monmouth in Monmouth County. “It’s just a great family event and the kids love it. It just starts off the season right.”
   The lines were very long to see Santa, wrapping outside of the greenhouse, initially following two separate lines inside.
   ”This is so nice, so cute,” said Debbie Kraft of Monroe as she took photos of her children on Santa’s lap. “I am so glad we got here early.”
   The Courter family from Englishtown in Monmouth County didn’t mind waiting in line to see Santa because it was the favorite part of the evening and first time experiencing the event.
   When asked what their favorite thing so far was, “Santa” said mom Kristina Courter.
   ”This is great,” said Paula Fernandes of Englishtown. “I use to come when Joey (her son, now 14) was little and I haven’t been back in about five years and we’re back.”
   For Fernandes, it was family outing this year with her sister-in-law who asked her to come to the event.
   According to Ms. Fernandes, the event has gotten bigger.
   ”They didn’t have the rides (in the past),” Ms. Fernandes said. “There is so much more stuff to see. I don’t remember there being tractors (lit up on display).
   ”I’m definitely going to come back with my sister with my nieces so this is great for them,” said Anabela Fernandes of Englishtown.