gme #227 11/15/10

OCEAN COUNTY’S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY SET FOR NOV. 30

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 on Tues., Nov. 30 at 4:45 p.m. on the west lawn of the County Administration Building at 101 Hooper Ave., reports Ocean County Freeholder Director James F. Lacey.

Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari announces that the lighting of the tree will be by three year old, Lorenzo Marciante of Brick Township, son of the late Luigi Marciante, Jr., an Army soldier, who was killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Assisting will be his mother, Stephanie, who also is a veteran.

This year the tree will be decorated using LED (light emitting diode) lights, according to Lacey. 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.

"This is the time of year for giving, sharing and recognizing the people in our lives that impact us every day," said Freeholder Director Lacey. "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, including chocolate chip snow people, 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, Supervising Groundskeeper, uses a Genie platform lift to top off the 37-foot Colorado Blue Spruce and decorate it with hundreds of white lights and red bows.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony.

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