Two sides of the season provided the ambience for Christmas tree lightings in Williston Park and Mineola over the weekend.
On Sunday night, residents braved stiff winds and freezing temperatures to turn out for the Christmas tree lighting in front of Village Hall in Williston Park.
Daisy Troop 1591 from the St. Aidan School sang holiday songs to the accompaniment of the South Shore Brass. They sang tunes that evoked the devotional nature of the season, such as “The First Noel,” as well as “Frosty the Snowman” and an enthusiastic version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Village of Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar presided over the festivities, with Deputy Mayor Teresa Thomann and Trustee Barbara Alagna in attendance. Ehrbar encouraged the St. Aidan Daisies, putting some of the singers on the microphone he was using to give the singers impromptu solos.
The tree came to life with its array of colored lights as Santa Claus came into range, drawing an enthusiastic response from children in the crowd and the girls who provided the musical prelude to the big event.
In Mineola on Friday, it was a windless night just chilly enough to appreciate the hot chocolate outdoor in the parking lot next to the Mineola Fire Department headquarters.
The Chaminade High School band played fine renditions of “Greensleeves” and other seasonal favorites as a crowd of more than 100 people gathered to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree, which stood next to a Menorah with candles lit to denote the passing days of Hanukkah.
Village of Mineola Mayor Jack Martins and all members of the Mineola board of trustees were in attendance, with the mayor presiding to extend greetings of the season to those present and thank the Chaminade band for its efforts under less than optimal conditions.
The crowd responded enthusiastically to the lighting of the tree, and then many took the short walk across the street to Village Hall for an indoor reception where Santa Claus held court, giving youngsters a chance to tell him what they wanted to find under their trees on Christmas morning.
