Several hundred residents and visitors turned out for the 48th annual village tree lighting ceremony Sunday, Dec. 8. It was the first to be celebrated amidst a blanket of snow - resembling a Norman Rockwell painting. Entertainment included the Village Music Makers and the Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble's presentation of a repertoire of holiday tunes. Santa Claus arrived on the fire department's pumper truck turned sleigh to the delight of the hordes of children who received coloring books and crayons from Astoria Federal Savings, a contributing sponsor.

Kingsley Bear from Kings Super Markets, distributed candy canes. The Chamber of Commerce, coordinators, thank Astoria Federal, the village's Departments of Public Works, Parks and Recreation for coordination and decorative effects and the police and fire departments for providing and serving hot chocolate, which was donated by Hoffmann's Deli. Bagelman, Jean Marie Patisserie and Riesterer's Bake Shoppe provided hundreds of crowd-pleasing cookies. The village trees at the mall at Stewart and Franklin, at village hall and near the gazebo will be lit from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. throughout this holiday season.

The Garden City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the top 10 winners of the 25th annual Holiday Shop Window Competition. Windows were rated on creativity, originality, holiday spirit and visual impact. The Chamber thanks Fran Nelson, Seventh Street Cafe manager, and the staff for providing refreshments for the judges as they deliberated.

The Toast of the Town (best overall) Award went to Feldis Florist. The nine other winners in the central business district included Annastasia Beauty Salon, Dougall Fraser Real Estate, Farrell Design Associates, Garden City Florist, Le Joaillier Jewelers, The Pear Tree, Pastula Real Estate, S & L Enterprises, West & Stannish Opticians. Reflections Jewelers proved to be the best on New Hyde Park Road.