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Friday, December 9, 2016
Vol. 76, No. 48
ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
Photo by Michele Rosner, Ella Marie Dance Studio
Dancers entertained the crowd. BY GARY SIMEONE Holiday music, refreshments, tree lighting, Santa and family fun were all part of the annual community tree lighting ceremony in Kennedy Park on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of people turned out to revel in the holiday cheer despite the blustery, cold conditions outside. Local elected officials including Legislator Rose Walker, Legislator Laura Schaefer, Town Clerk James Altadonna, Councilman Joe Pinto and State Assemblyman Joe Saladino attended the ceremony. The event took place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. “The tree lighting ceremony was another big success this year,” said Event Chairperson, Dr. James Bentson of Hicksville Chiropractic. “Kids and parents all had a good time and of course everybody loved seeing the Hicksville Fire Department bring Santa in on the firetruck.” Local Girl Scout troops sang songs with
the arrival of Santa and dancers from the Ella Marie School of Dance were on hand to entertain the crowd. Dr. Bentson said that 22 Christmas trees that were placed at the park were decorated and that money was donated for the trees from the Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club and the Hicksville Gardens Civic Organization. Money was also donated to the Toys of Hope Adopt-A-Family program to help in the assistance of needy families. The Town of Oyster Bay showmobile’s stage had technical malfunctions and wasn’t able to open but that did not stop the crowd from enjoying themselves at the holiday event. The Christmas lights on top of the showmobile were working however. One of the revelers in the crowd was Taylor Mendez, of Massapequa, who came with her two daughters, Sonia and Michaliea, to see Santa and the tree lighting ceremony. See page 6
TOB ‘Holiday on Ice Show’ on December 17
Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rebecca M. Alesia is pleased to announce that the Town of Oyster Bay’s Annual Holiday on Ice Show will be held on Saturday, December 17, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center. Students from the Town’s Ice Skating Program will present a captivating skating exhibition to celebrate the holiday season. Admission is free. “This highly anticipated event has become a holiday tradition for many Town residents and is truly a special evening of family fun,” Councilwoman Alesia said. “The students in the Town’s ice skating program are amazingly talented and are sure to entertain the audience. The Holiday on Ice Show will also feature other highly accomplished skaters who are sure to dazzle the audience with their grace and skill.” In addition to figure skating, there will be other holiday themed activities including an exhibition hockey game between the Elves and the Reindeer, which are two teams with players from the Town of Oyster Bay Tot Hockey program. And the star of the season, Santa Claus, will make his annual visit to the Ice Skating Center. Santa will skate a lap or two around the rink and then will be available to visit with children and take pictures afterwards. “The Holiday on Ice Show has become a big attraction at the Town’s Ice Skating Center,” Councilwoman Alesia said. “I encourage all residents to join us for a magical and fun-filled evening.” Councilwoman Alesia said the Ice Skating Center, which for many
years has been named as “A Best of Long Island” award winner, features a pro shop for shoppers seeking a gift for hockey players and figure skaters on their lists. There is also a fireplace for visitors to spend a relaxing moment and perhaps enjoy refreshments from the snack bar. “Imagine the enjoyment a family will have watching a holiday show, and then enjoying hot chocolate while sitting by a fireplace,” said Councilwoman Alesia. “This is a great family holiday event, and admission is free.” In keeping with this time of the year being “the season of giving,” those attending the show are asked to bring two non-perishable food items, which will be collected by Island Harvest, an organization committed to ending hunger on Long Island. In addition, the Town will also again take part in the “Holiday Mail for Heroes” Program. Holiday greeting cards will be available in the lobby for guests to fill out, which will be sent to our troops. “It’s our way of thanking our men and women in the armed forces and letting them know their extraordinary service is not forgotten during the holiday season,” Councilwoman Alesia said. “Our freedom to enjoy the holiday season is the direct result of their dedicated service.” The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is located in Bethpage Community Park, at 1001 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage. Due to the Holiday on Ice Show, the public skating sessions at the Center, which are normally held from 1 to 3 p.m. See page 6
Division Ave. athletes commit to schools PAGE 8 Hicksville students say thanks to BOE PAGE 4