"Oh the weather outside is frightful" blasted from the speakers on Mary Jane Davies Green Friday, Dec. 2 as the hundreds of spirited residents crowded the green for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. It was cold and windy but the hearty revelers turned their backs to the wind, downed their share of hot chocolate and enjoyed the music, singing, poster awards, tree lighting and of course, Santa.

The event is sponsored by the Manhasset Park District in partnership with the Town of North Hempstead, Americana Manhasset and Laffey Associates. The ceremony began on the noisy, bustling green with the Pledge of Allegiance under the direction of John Weitz, commander, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars which was followed by a blessing by Father Nick Zientarski of St. Mary's Church. Then, gathered around the bandstand, all joined in a community sing-along led by the Manhasset chapter of Tri-M-Music honor society with Eileen Murphy the advisor and enjoyed the seasonal selections played by the Manhasset High School Brass Choir, directed by Randy Knudsen. Programs for the event were generously printed by Minuteman Press and Creative Expressions located on Plandome Road. The programs fittingly showcased the gazebo bedecked with wreaths and garlands, artwork of Eileen Bachor.

Jon Kaiman, town supervisor, addressed the crowd, and other town representatives present, also braving the cold, included Councilmen Wayne Wink, Fred Pollack and Angelo Ferrara.

The Chamber of Commerce had sponsored a poster contest and Nancy Morris, State Farm Insurance, Nancy H. Morris Agency, introduced the poster award winners from kindergarten through eighth grade and each grade was called to the bandstand, mounted a three tiered riser and ceremoniously received a first, second or third place medal. The overall winner was Jack Wesson, a third grader at Shelter Rock, whose art teacher is Cheryl Safren. The recipients, in the order of first, second and third were:

1. Christopher Papadopoulos - Shelter Rock

2. Emily Lyons - Buckley

3. Samantha Canfield - Shelter Rock

1. Amanda Smotkin - Shelter Rock

2. George Theodosopoulos - Shelter Rock

3. Jessica Thalheimer - Shelter Rock

1. Elizabeth Boyle - St. Mary's

2. Gabriella Trachina - Munsey Park

3. Sean and Jennifer MacGowan - Shelter Rock

1. Jack Wesson - Shelter Rock

2. Madeline Barcia - St. Mary's

3. Kate Wyszomniski - Shelter Rock

1. Emma Goodwin - Shelter Rock

2. Stephen Tranchina - Munsey Park

3. Maggie Lyons - Shelter Rock

1. Kayla Feeney - Shelter Rock

2. Ryan Ross - Munsey Park

3. Daniella Hernandez - St. Mary's

1. Stehanie Gallo - Manhasset Middle School - 8th

2. Kaitlin Miller - Munsey Park - 6th

3. Delaney Parker - Shelter Rock - 6th

After one false start the two trees were lit simultaneously--the grand tree in front of Town Hall and the recently planted evergreen to the left of the gazebo that replaced a diseased tree removed earlier in the year. The new tree arrived just in time for the ceremony and after the lights were strung by the park district it was decorated by the Girl Scouts.

Santa arrived atop a bright shiny red Manhasset-Lakeville fire truck to the delighted squeals of hundreds of children awaiting his arrival.