The night was filled with the voice of emcee John Canning singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Standing around the Derby-Hall bandstand were about 100 children and parents, all out to see the opening of the holiday season in Oyster Bay, Saturday, Dec. 6.

At the tree lighting, Andrew Burke was the guest conductor of the Oyster Bay High School Chamber Singers, replacing his teacher who was unable to attend. He has learned his lessons well: he set up the singers on the steps of the gazebo, and using a pitch pipe, set the notes for the altos, sopranos, and tenors. They sang traditional Christmas carols. John Canning added to the performance by chiming in on Jingle Bells, and adding the chorus for Deck the Halls, as did some of the audience.

Mr. Canning, Esq., who in his day job is the TOB commissioner of intergovernmental affairs, thanked the Oyster Bay Civic Association for sponsoring the refreshment table with cookies by Periwinkles and coffee from Dunkin' Donuts.

He introduced Pastor John Yenchko of the North Shore Community Church who blessed a symbolic basket of food donated by the people of Oyster Bay. Pastor Yenchko said, "People need two things for life: love and hope. There is both here," he said. "The food pantry is open on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. to supplement what people have at home. Thanks to Rotary, the Civic Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the North Shore Community Church and Boy Scout Troop 253 and many others of you who make sure our cupboard is full. It proves that it is more generous and more blessed to give than to receive."

Emcee Canning thanked the committee members of the Holidays in Oyster Bay that brought together this year's celebration including: Isaac Kremer, John Bonifacio, Diane Meltzer, John Specce (who is the steward of the chamber's crèche), Bill Von Novak, Alex Gallego, Catherine Drabin, Paige Dawson, Michele Browner, Carmine Pirolo, Stan Spiegelman, Muir de Guzman, and Darcy Tabako, who chaired the Menorah lighting on Dec. 17 with Rabbi Marvin Demant of the Oyster Bay Jewish Center. Mr. Canning thanked Kevin Hanifan and Steve Bauer of the Town of Oyster Bay for their work in setting up the gazebo; sound engineer Tim Wright and Chief Vinnie Bellisimo of the Oyster Bay Fire Company No. 1 for their assistance in putting up the Christmas tree lights; as well as the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company which ran the Santa Claus contingent. Dodds & Eder was thanked for providing the evergreen roping on the gazebo.

"Visit the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce gift wrapping center at 17 Audrey Avenue. It's no Rapper's Delight," he quipped.

Mr. Canning thanked red robed Rose Marie Walker, and red jacketed Councilwoman Beth Faughnan, and announced Georgia Gier would play Tannenbaum on the keyboard. He joined in the final notes of the song, singing "O'Christmas Tree..." It was the Charlie Brown holiday theme playing in the evening air.

It was time for 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and John asked the children to join him on the steps of the gazebo. As he came to the part where Santa appeared, the sounds of a fire truck coming down the road announced Santa was really coming to town. Mrs. Santa Claus (Cathy Sinowitz) and the Grinch (Evan Ashley) were marching down Audrey Avenue to the gazebo, leading the Santa float with sparkling lights creating two reindeer. Seated in the sleigh was Santa Claus, played this year by Joe Siciliano.

Santa was mobbed by the enthralled throng of children. The lights on the tree were turned on by Town Councilwomen Beth Faughnan and Rose Marie Walker. The tree is trimmed with LED lights this year, said Isaac Kremer, MSA executive director. The holiday activities were the work of local partners: the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce; the Oyster Bay Civic Association; the Main Street Association; assisted by the town and the two Oyster Bay fire companies!