Over the last two weeks community organizations from the local area have come out to commemorate the holidays with Christmas Tree Lightings, Menorah Lightings and various other celebrations of the season.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce had its annual holiday lighting last Wednesday at the GreenPoint Savings Bank. Despite the bitter cold of the evening, hundreds of people came out to see the performances of school and church groups and to watch the lighting of the gigantic tree at the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Wantagh Avenue. The celebration began with the St. Bernard's Children's Choir. Also performing was the St. Bernard's Folk Group, Nancy's Dance Factory, Northside School's instrumentalists, the First Church of Christ Scientists, the Israel Community Center, and Division Avenue High School's Marching Band.

A special visitor in a red suit arrived on a Levittown fire truck to talk to the children about what they wanted for Christmas. Santa explained to the children that he came on the fire truck because his reindeer were resting up for Christmas Eve.

On Saturday the Levittown Kiwanis and Levittown Community Council co-hosted a Tree and Menorah Lighting at Republic National Bank. Although the turnout was not as large for this lighting, the weather was considerably warmer. Kevin Regan, president of Levittown Kiwanis and Louise Cassano, president of the Community Council, each spoke to the residents who were gathered to see the organizations' first annual lighting ceremony and thanked them for coming out to support these two service organizations.

Residents in Wantagh had the opportunity to celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah on Sunday.

Ahava Hadassah celebrated Chanukah at the Forest City Community Park on Sunday, where Ahava Young Leaders Group of Hadassah also dedicated a planter to the Community Park. Barbara Carpenter, president of Ahava Young Leaders Group of Hadassah dedicated the planter, noting that this was a special event for her because she grew up in Forest City. The group was also given a proclamation from the Town of Hempstead to commemorate the occasion, presented by Councilman Gary Hudes.

On Sunday evening Wantagh celebrated their annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting. Those in attendance enjoyed various holiday performances, as well as raffles and visitors which included a Gingerbread Man, a Snowman, Po the red Tele Tubby, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger.

No matter what holiday was being celebrated, the local communities came out in full support of this joyous season.