As coordinator of the annual holiday lighting of the Village of Farmingdale's Tricentennial Tree, I would like to express appreciation to all those who contributed to this year's program on Nov. 29. Although the tree lighting is a rather brief event, there are nevertheless numerous individuals and several organizations who cooperate to make it possible. Many thanks to:

*The Village of Farmingdale, including Mayor George J. Graf, Deputy Mayor Joseph F. Rachiele,Trustees Thomas A. Langon, Patricia A. Christiansen, and George H. Starkie; Village Administrator David E. Smollett; and Fred Zamparelle, superintendent of Public Works, and his staff for their invaluable service.

*The Farmingdale Public Schools, including Superintendent John Lorentz, director of fine arts Rita Padden, coordinator for music Josh Golbert, chorus director Danielle Tucker and her wonderfully talented students in the Howitt Middle School Select Chorus;

Director of audio-visual services Barbara Pandolfo; and Jeff Pritzker, supervising technician, who set up and manned the public address system with the assistance of a student team.

*The Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society, Larry Jorgensen, president, for funding the advertising and the printing of fliers, which publicized the event.

*The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, with Pete Yovine as president and Debbie Podolski as president-elect, for once again providing the services of the South Shore Brass Ensemble, a superb group which has truly enhanced this event for all its 18 years.

*The Kiwanis Club of Farmingdale President Rosemary Trudden, for once again providing refreshments in Village Hall after the program.

*The Village Beautification Committee, chaired by Village Trustees Pat Christiansen and George Starkie, for decorating the Village Green and the gazebo, as well as numerous other locations throughout the village so festively to reflect this joyous season.

* My good friend Brad DeMilo, director of the Village Pops for all its 25 years, for assisting with the "emcee" role so capably.

Finally, my thanks to all those residents of Farmingdale who attended the tree lighting on that remarkably mild late autumn evening. Happy Holidays to all!

Bill Johnston
Historian, Village of Farmingdale