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COUNTY LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAYS
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photos By Jo Ann La Russo Above, local dignitaries welcomed the holiday season with the county's annual Christmas tree lighting, while below, children dazzled onlookers with seasonal music. |
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Susan Basehore scurried along Washington Street on Wednesday, eager not to miss her 10 year old Emily perform with the Walnut Street Elementary School Wildcat Chorus at the official lighting of the Ocean County Christmas Tree.
"She is so excited. The children have been practicing for this concert. They are good."
Basehore was right. The members of the fifth grade chorus sang like angels under a dusting of light snow for their performance in front of the County Administration Building at101 Hooper Avenue.
"They sound great," said Mark McGuckin, whose 11 year old son, Mark, sang with the chorus. "They have been looking forward to this event."
Barbara W. Steele, county public affairs director, addressed the crowd of more than 100 and declared, "This is the first tree lighting that we have had snow, making it a special day."
Invocation was given by Reverend James Occhipinti, chaplain, Sheriff's Department and Prosecutors office, who recently celebrated his 50th year in the ministry.
Freeholders Joseph Vicari, John Kelly and Gerry Little spoke to the crowd about the holiday season and the hope that it brings.
Special mention was made of the men and women of our armed forces, who are around the world defending America's freedom. "Let us not forget them," Little said.
The holiday medley was performed under the supervision of Stephanie Higham, musical director, school principal Kevin Smith, and Kelly Kernasovic, supervisor of instruction.
When the children began singing, a quiet calm took place on the busy street corner as the crowd listened to the small voices singing, Let There be Peace on Earth, Believe, and Oh Christmas Tree.
But it was Jingle Bells that set the mood for the illumination of the 37-foot tall Colorado Spruce tree, trimmed with 1,200 tiny white lights and 360 red velvet bows.
Vicari introduced the 2007 Special Olympics Gold Medalist Lindsay Fulop, who helped to light the tree.
Six year old Maryjo Kelly stood alongside her mom, Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford, as the crowd began the countdown to one and the enormous tree lit up the corner of Washington Street and Hooper Avenue.
When the Christmas tree was ablaze with lights, the children's faces lit up as well. "This is pretty cool," said Maryjo, huddling in the cold.
Fulop, proudly wearing the gold medal she won for swimming in the Special Olympics held in Shanghai this past October, said with a smile, "I love it. It's fun. It's Christmas all over again."
The county government complex decorations and the tree lighting were coordinated by the Ocean County Department of Buildings and Grounds, William Santos, superintendent; George Stryker, landscape supervisor; and Joe LaManna, assistant supervising groundskeeper.
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to cookies baked by the culinary students of Ocean County Vocational- Technical School, Brick.
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