Oh, the weather outside was frightful, but the chilly temperatures did not prevent the community of Glen Cove from coming out to Village Square on Saturday, Nov. 24 to usher in the holiday season. Noses were cold, but hearts were warm.

As is tradition, the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and the Glen Cove Downtown BID joined forces to present the city's annual Christmas Tree Lighting, complete with carolers, horse and buggy rides, entertainment and a visit from that jolly old elf himself, as Santa arrived courtesy of the Glen Cove Fire Department.

Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi was on hand, ably assisted by son Alex, to welcome the revelers and perform some of the more pleasant duties required by his office, which included presenting a citation to the Malvino family for the donation of this year's tree and lighting of said Christmas tree along with Santa. In a poignant and evocative moment, the mayor led the crowd in a candle-lighting ceremony dedicated to Americans in the Armed Services serving around the world. As each candle was lit from a candle in the hand of a neighbor, the crowd sang I'll Be Home for Christmas, a popular standard from the days of World War II.

Along with the mayor, city councilmen Tony Jimenez, Tim Tenke and Nick DiLeo, and Legislator Diane Yatauro, BID executive director offered a warm happy birthday to city councilwoman Joan Meehan and presented her with a lovely poinsettia.

The Downtown Village Carolers strolled through the local streets, arriving back in Village Square for the lighting of the tree. Glen Cove Girl Scouts sang, and there was entertainment by magician Magic Jeff Miller and musician Dave Kotliar, thanks to the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, Cam Associates and Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

Horses and buggies, with bells jingling from the reins, took children of all ages 'round the town, courtesy of Glen Floors and Accent on the Home, while others took pictures with Santa, thanks to Royal Holiday Travel.

Hot chocolate from Henry's Luncheonette and Confectionary and coffee from Starbucks helped keep tummies warm.

The BID and Chamber would like to thank other sponsors and Santa's helpers, including the Glen Cove Printery, HHHHair Above, Joseph M. Basile Electrical Services, the US Postal Service (with a wink to Steven Fiedler), Keyspan, Sterling Glen, Glen Cove police, auxiliary police, firefighters, beautification, and public works departments.

With fingers and faces sticky with candy canes, the children no doubt went home to sleep with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.