LAKEHURST – Santa seems to love hanging around the borough whether it’s to stop by the community center for a slice of pizza for the community’s annual “Pizza with Santa” event, giving out presents with help from the borough fire company, or stopping by for the annual tree lighting.
This year’s tree lighting had a new feature as families came out to the community center to play some holiday bingo that had children winning – and in some cases, playing with – toys. This all took place to warm things up for the main event, the lighting of the tree and Kris Kringle’s arrival.
“We thought we’d try something new,” Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan said. She was helping out with the event.
Pastor Owen L. Alston, the Founder and Senior Pastor of Harmony Ministries USA Inc. joined members of the church’s choir in providing some classic and inspirational Christmas songs that also provided the right atmosphere outside the center.
Among the songs sung by the Harmony Ministries choir was “Oh Christmas Tree,” “Joy to the World.” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”
Harmony Ministries is a multi-cultural, non-denominational ministry located at 401 Chestnut Street. Pastor Alston who is the son of a Baptist Deacon has been a long-time resident of Lakehurst and is a fixture of the annual tree lighting ceremony and many other community events.
“It is always good working with the town. It is a wonderful community and everyone knows each other,” he remarked.
Making sure there were plenty of cookies and hot chocolate ready for children and adults were Councilwoman Patricia Hodges, Municipal Clerk Maryanne Capasso and Borough staff member Amy Lowe.
Mary Early, recently named Lakehurst Citizen of the Year, was ready to do the honor of pushing the button to light up the tree in front of the center.
Council President Steven Oglesby welcomed everyone to the event and introduced this year’s tree lighter. He remarked that choosing the citizen of the year can be difficult. “Some years it is harder than others.”
“This year was not a challenge at all. Mary has dedicated her life to Lakehurst, has been a volunteer and has been so extremely involved in so much in the town, I can’t imagine Lakehurst without her,” he added.
Oglesby said “the biggest responsibility that the citizen of the year gets to do every year at exactly the right time, to light the Christmas tree. Are we ready Mary?”
“We are…3…2…1!”, she responded and with those words the tree was lit brightly.
Early told The Manchester Times that she had helped her husband who worked on the Fourth of July Car Show hosted by the Lakehurst Historical Society. “I was one of the first members of the Lakehurst Historical Society and I am still active with it and the (Lakehurst) Presbyterian Church.”
Borough photographer Denise Maynard was busy capturing all the holiday fun with various photos. She was there when a number of children and one local reporter lined up to speak to Santa Claus.
The bearded guy in red was delivered by the Lakehurst Fire Company (presumably from their fire station after arriving via his sleigh and flying reindeer from the North Pole) to the community center.
Santa had a special illuminated cane that he told The Manchester Times, “Was really helpful in helping me get out of the fire truck and reaching the street. The tree looks great!”
