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JAMESBURG: Making spirits bright:

Borough gives seasonal light

By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
   JAMESBURG — Blustery winds brought a chilly touch of December to the recent unseasonably warm temperatures as residents converged on Veteran’s Park Wednesday for a draught of holiday cheer.
   Stockton Avenue was cordoned off between Lincoln Avenue and Sedgwick Street as about 200 bundled up residents braved the wind and the cold for the borough’s annual tree lighting event.
   Monroe resident Bob Belko and his two daughters, Casey and Caitlin, both 10, were among them.
   According to Mr. Belko, Monroe Township previously had a tree lighting event, but when the sponsoring organization disbanded, so did the tree lighting.
   ”We always would go there (to Monroe’s tree lighting) because we’re from Monroe, but when I read about it (Jamesburg’s event), I said it would be great to bring the children down to (it),” Mr. Belko said. “(It is) very symbolic of Christmas.”
   The Presbyterian Church Bell Choir opened the evening’s entertainment with “Up on the Housetop” as huddled onlookers listened above the noise of the wind, and the refreshments line wound its way across the width of the park.
   The Jamesburg Hardware Store and Sir Ives Caterers were on hand to provide the refreshments, helping the public warm up with free hot popcorn and hot chocolate.
   Former Jamesburg resident Pat Burns said she doesn’t remember the town having a tree lighting when she was younger.
   ”I grew up here and lived here pretty much all my life,” Ms. Burns said. “I don’t ever recall them doing this when I was little.”
   Ms. Burns said the tree lighting is a good way to run into, and catch up with, old friends.
   This year’s event was 5-year-old Lilly Ryan’s first tree lighting, her mom, Kelli Ryan, of Jamesburg, said.
   Ms. Ryan said the crowd at this year’s event was especially large, compared to past years.
   Wailing fire truck sirens announced Santa Claus’ arrival shortly before Barbara Carpenter, councilman and chairwoman of public events, led the crowd in the countdown to the tree lighting.
   At the end of the countdown, the tree was lit, its evergreen boughs outlined in the darkness by hundreds of red, green and blue LED bulbs. The lights were hung over the course of several hours by Division of Public Works employees.
   ”I think after Sandy, a lot of people are coming together in the community,” Ms. Ryan said. “I think it’s good timing for it.”