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Traditional Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebrated in Putnam Valley as Kids Meet Santa
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | One picture could not do justice to the yearly event at Oregon Corners |
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Oregon Corners came alive with the holiday spirit last Saturday night December 1, 2007 when the Hertzel family celebrated a sixtyyear tradition: the children's Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting sing- along on the first weekend in December. Over three hundred boys, girls, men, and women braved the eighteen-degree temperatures, huddling together shoulder to shoulder, and singing Christmas and Chanukah songs. Ed Hertzel's sons Steve and Jimmy were the Masters of Ceremonies, and Maggie McCarthy helped keep the singing on track.
There were the traditional three C's (Cocoa, Cookies, and Candy Canes), but there was a serendipitous event that added to the festivities this year. It was the unexpected Grand Opening of the Putnam Valley Pizza & Pasta Restaurant across the street from George's Garage. Jimmy and Maui, owners of the restaurant decided to supply free pizzas to the crowd waiting for Santa. All night long a waiter would bring over five boxes of hot pizza - that's all he could carry at one time. The young girl pictured is holding a slice of pizza while she prepares to sing. A twelve-year-old young lady standing in front of this reporter was about to woof down a second slice of pizza when she turned to me and asked if I would like to have it. Her kind gesture was enough for me. Jimmy and Maui couldn't have planned a better Grand Opening.
The other great crowd pleaser was a dance performance put on by the Darcy Academy of Dance. The crowd lined both sides of the street in front of Marie's Deli and George's Garage and the Darcy dancers danced in the street. They were terrific.
Just before Santa's arrival Maggie McCarthy sang a solo All I Want For Christmas is You. Her voice traveled gently through the clear, cold night air but when you heard her sing she warmed your soul. The crowd loved her performance.
The Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the PV Volunteer Fire Department for the second year had a singing duel. Unfortunately just before taking center stage the Ambulance Corps responders had to go out on a call, leaving only five to compete. The Fire Department's all-male singing contingent, with twice as many singers, overwhelmed the Ambulance Corps.
In an earlier singing contest between the boys and girls the girls won, with the help of Maggie McCarthy.
A local Rabbi took two minutes to explain why there are eight lights on a Menorah explaining how the precious little supply of oil the Macabees had lasted them for eight days.
Finally, after two hours the crowd heard the sounds of fire engines, whistles, and air horns. Every light was flashing on the fire truck and with a hearty Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa stepped out of the truck and made his way through the crowd. The countdown began and the switch was thrown to light the tree. And once again tradition was honored.
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