Central Square Lighting of the Tree(Tree Lighting 1st Sunday in December) Tree lighting is held at Goettel Park in Central Square the first Sunday in December at 5:00pm. It was a true community and family event made possible by the dedicated employees of the village and lots of volunteers of all ages. At one time the ceremony was held in the center of the village. However, it was felt it would be safer to move it to Goettel Park. Past Tree Lightings: December 2, 2012: 65th Tree Lighting, dedicated to the past and present members of the Central Square Lions Club. Lions Club President, Marie Loran, lit the tree. There were Christmas carols, cookies, cocoa, fun and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Landers. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Grace Farms. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups and children from the community. Rev. Mike Thesier gave the invocation. Although there was once again no snow, Santa still arrived in style aboard a fire truck! Members of the community later made it snow using popcorn. December 4, 2011: 64th Tree Lighting, dedicated in memory of Marjorie Perfield. Her family and friends were on hand to say a few words and her great grandson lit the tree. There were Christmas carols, poems and a jazz ensemble as well as cookies, cocoa, fun and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Landers. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Grace Farms. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups and children from the community. Father Christopher Celentano of St. Micheal's Catholic Church in Central Square gave the invocation. Although there was no snow, Santa still arrived in style in a pick up! December 5, 2010: 63rd Tree Lighting, dedicated in memory of Tim McLaughlin. His family and friends were on hand to say a few words and light the tree. There were Christmas carols, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Verity and Family. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Williams. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups and children from the community. Father John Smegelsky of St. Micheal's Catholic Church in Central Square gave the invocation. December 6, 2009: 62nd Tree Lighting, dedicated in memory of Dr. Gabriel "Gabe" F. Buschle. His family and friends were on hand to say a few words and light the tree. In honor of their 100th anniversary, there was a special dedication of the tree in the center of the village to the Central Square Fire Company volunteers Past and Present. There were Christmas carols, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Ruby O'Mara. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Grace Farms. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups and children from the community. Lorrie House of the Central Square Fire Company Auxiliary gave the invocation.December 7, 2008: 61st Tree Lighting, dedicated in memory of Mr. Cliff Breed. His family was on hand to say a few words and light the tree. There were Christmas carols, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Mrs. Betty Figie. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Grace Farms. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups. December 2, 2007: 60th Tree Lighting, dedicated in memory of Mr. Tony Altier. His family was on hand to say a few words and light the tree. There were Christmas carols, a hay maze, face painting, crafts, games, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Mr. Jim Traub. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Grace Farms. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups. The Brigadiers Holiday Brass kicked off the festivities with a Brass ensemble. December 3, 2006: 59th Tree Lighting. There were Christmas carols, a hay maze, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Ron & Harriet Gordon. The tree in the center of the village was donated by Grace Farms. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups. The Brigadiers Holiday Brass kicked off the festivities with a Brass ensemble. December 5, 2004: 57th Tree Lighting, dedicated in memory of George Traub. His family was on hand to say a few words and light the tree. There were Christmas carols, a hay maze, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s trees were donated by David Bertrand, Ruth Lederle and Sundance Meadows Farm (Jaime French & Melanie Keim). Christmas carols were led by local scout groups. L & M Music started the festivities by playing music for the event. December 7, 2003: 56th Tree Lighting. There were Christmas carols, a hay maze, cookies, cocoa and Santa. This year’s tree at the park was donated by Dottie Bane. Christmas carols were led by local scout groups. L & M Music started the festivities by playing music for the event. December 14, 1952: 5pm at War Memorial Park. Sponsored by American Legion and Women’s auxiliary since at least 1947. Musical program by young people in the community including instrumentals. December 17, 1950: 8:00pm organized by the American Legion and auxiliary, lighting of the tree and community sign a long. December 18, 1949: 7:30pm sponsored by the American Legion and erected by monument in the center of the village. Community Christmas Carols were sung. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Devendorf donated a sound system in memory of his parents (William and Libya) to the Methodist Church that was used to play carols before and after the tree lighting and throughout the Christmas week to be heard around the village. Photos: 65th Tree Lighting - December 2, 2012 64th Tree Lighting - December 4, 2011 |