PLUMSTED – More than 100 residents rang in the holiday season at the community’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Plumsted municipal building on Evergreen Road.
During the Dec. 3 event, parents and children decorated the tree with ornaments they brought prior to the tree’s illumination. The tree was donated by Big Woods Nursery and Garden Center, according to a press release from the township.
Mayor Jack A. Trotta greeted the guests and thanked those responsible for organizing and participating in the program. The mayor asked those in attendance to remember people who are hurting, especially individuals in the community.
Santa Claus arrived on a New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company fire engine, seated in a special chair that was provided by Red Barn Antiques. Elf volunteers in the form of students and New Egypt Main Street Committee members assisted Santa.
Children were able to have their photo taken with Kris Kringle for free during the program. Local Girl Scouts and Brownies sang holiday carols and provided cookies they had baked for the occasion. Hot chocolate provided by the Plumsted Municipal Alliance was enjoyed after the lighting of the tree.
Non-perishable food items were collected in bins at town hall as part of the Plumsted Business Merchants Association (PBMA) food collection program.
“The members of the PBMA are very generous throughout the year and I encourage everyone to shop locally because without our local businesses, events like this one and our annual fireworks display could not occur,” Trotta said.
Judges from the Plumsted Township Council for the Arts, which held the seventh annual Gingerbread House contest, found it difficult to select the winners as there were many eye-catching and edible entries this year, according to the press release.
The winners were Hailey Kramer, 8, in the 8-12 age group; Kara Johnson and Amanda Newman in the Best Group category; and Shaunna O’Brien in the Adult category for her entry, “Holiday Camper.” Each winner received a gift card to Michael’s craft store.