gme #253 11/30/09

OCEAN COUNTY’S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY SET FOR DEC. 2

TOMS RIVER – More than 1,000 lights will come to life when members of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders come together to officially light the county’s tree, reports Ocean County Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett, Jr.

This year the tree will be decorated using LED (light emitting diode) lights, according to Bartlett. In a continuing effort to be energy responsible, Ocean County made an easy decision to use these lights, as they last longer, shine better and, most importantly, use far less energy to do the same job.

The public is invited to attend the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for Wed., Dec. 2 at 4:45 p.m. on the west lawn of the County Administration Building at 101 Hooper Ave.

“This is the time of year for giving, sharing and recognizing the people in our lives that impact us every day,” said Freeholder Director Bartlett. “It also is a time that gives us ample opportunity to reach out to those less fortunate and lend a helping hand.”

The Walnut Street Elementary School’s Wildcat Chorus directed by Stephanie Higham will provide musical entertainment. Light refreshments, prepared by the Ocean County Vocational-Technical School Culinary Arts students will be served. The county Buildings & Grounds Department staff, under the direction of Joseph La Manna of Bayville, Assistant Supervising Groundskeeper, used a Genie platform lift to top off the 37-foot Colorado Blue Spruce and decorate it with hundreds of white lights and red bows.

---