The annual Levittown Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting and Show, usually held amid freezing temperatures out of doors in Veterans Memorial Park, moved indoors to the Levittown Public Library meeting room this year, due to dire predictions of heavy rain and winds.

"With the absolutely remarkable cooperation of Library Director Pete Martin, we made a last-minute decision to move the performers indoors so they and the audience would be protected from the weather," said Louise Cassano, president of the Chamber. "I could not have asked for a better reception to the idea and for more cooperation from the director and the staff of the library. We're really grateful to them."

Most of the entertainers who were scheduled to perform took the stage in the community room of the library despite the fact that the decision to move the show indoors was made after school closed. Peter Gibbons, chairperson of the music department at Island Trees High School was able to reach music teacher Leiann Germann and she, in turn, contacted the students in the high school chamber orchestra and they made it on time to fill in as the first act.

Performances by St. Bernard's Children's Choir under the direction of Ernie and Mary Clare Meditz; Northside Instrumental Ensemble and Northside Select Chorus under the direction of Jill Castillo; and St. Bernard's School Junior & Senior Chorus under the direction of Bernadette Tornabere followed the Island Trees Chamber Orchestra.

Meanwhile, out of doors, in the pouring rain, event Chairperson Frank Mormando and Mauro Cassano directed people to the library and welcomed Santa Claus, who arrived in well-synchronized fashion, as he does each year, aboard one of Levittown's beautiful fire trucks. The audience inside the library was directed out of doors for a brief rendition of Jingle Bells to welcome Santa and the official lighting of the Holiday tree.

The park was cleaned up and made beautiful by crews from the Town of Hempstead, who assisted Mormando in getting the electricity turned on for the tree, which was decorated by Mormando earlier in the week and put through a few trial lightings to be sure everything was in place for the Tree Lighting event.

Division Avenue Deli provided coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, which were served in the lobby outside the meeting rooms.

"This appears to be something that just happens," said Cassano in addressing the audience, "but it takes weeks of work and lots of cooperation from the houses of worship, schools, the Town of Hempstead and the chamber members who volunteer their time. This year, we are especially grateful to Mr. Martin and the Levittown Library, as well."

Cassano expressed a special thanks to Mormando for putting the program together, for decorating the tree and going "above and beyond." Cassano also wishes to thank her husband, Mauro, who "Even though he's is not a member of the Chamber of Commerce, volunteered to stand in the rain and help Frank with directing people to the library," and to Chamber Office Manager, Eileen O'Rourke for communicating with the various groups involved and to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes for their support and cooperation in having the park made ready for the event.