Carolers from South Amboy schools sang while people waited for their trolley on the steps of City Hall. The group performed under the direction of Phyllis Stratton. BRIAN STRATTON SOUTH AMBOY — The shouts could be heard all around City Hall.
“The trolley is coming! The trolley is coming!”
Excited youngsters and adults waited anxiously on an unseasonably warm evening Dec. 15 to take a ride on the inaugural city holiday trolley tour. As they waited, students from the local schools serenaded them with Christmas carols. South Amboy Middle High School teacher Phyllis Stratton led the students, many of them from the school’s theater programs.
Stratton said the performance was a great opportunity for the students, and it helped bring the community together.
“It’s a small town at heart,” she said.
The students sang “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and other songs under a spotlight on the steps of City Hall.
Joseph Szaro conducts the trolley tour. The trolley, which was accompanied by one of the city’s senior transportation vehicles, was sold out for its multiple tours on Dec. 15. South Amboy Business Administrator Camille Tooker said she anticipated about 40 residents to attend, but the actual figure was more than five times that, hence the need for an additional vehicle.
“We’re really happy about it,” Tooker said at the event, for which she said received significant support from Mayor Fred Henry and the City Council. “We just hope it grows every year.”
On the trolley tour, participants listened to Joseph Szaro of the relatively new South Amboy Historical Society talk about the history of the city as well as some its famous residents. He took participants through the time of South Amboy’s founding in 1640 by the Dutch to the recent movies that used the city as a filming location, such as 1999’s “Coyote Ugly.” He mentioned sports greats who call the city home, such as Ed and Johnny O’Brien and Alfred Clark.
Szaro also pointed out the 31 homes that had entered the city’s holiday decorating contest. As the trolley pulled up to each, participants would “Ooh” and “Ahh” over the displays, and sometimes the homeowners themselves would be on the porch waving amid their lights, wreaths and inflatable characters. At one location, Santa made an appearance, handing out candy canes to trolley riders.
At the end of the tour, participants voted for their favorite decorated home. Top prize was $100 and a collage of the winning home by photographer Brian Stratton. On Monday, the city declared the winners to be the Seigs of 403 George St.
Various city businesses also joined in the evening of fun with specials and events. Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance at the Broadway Bistro, which had meal specials as well. Also participating in the holiday offers were Cohn Lee Kenpo Karate, That Spanish Place, Belle Allure Salon & Spa and Station Eatery, all Broadway businesses. A flyer listing these specials was handed out to trolley riders.
Also distributed was a flyer on the historical society, which now has a Facebook page. The society will hold its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the YMCAbuilding.