December 5, 2005

Let there be lights

Rain stops, young stars shine

Willow Glen community tree lighting goes off without a hitch

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The Willow Glen Community tree lighting went off without a hitch to the surprise of everyone.

Girl Scout Troop 383 collected coats. Awaiting donations are Berkeley Cowherd, left, and Samantha and Stephanie Owens. The three are all sixth graders at Willow Glen Middle School.

It was a rough road getting there, but at 6:35 p.m. the rain stopped and the show went on to the delight of everyone. What had appeared to be just a small crowd of less than 200 people grew during the early part of the ceremony until the grounds were filled when the tree was lit.

The rough road began in mid November when it was discovered that the lights on the community tree had been vandalized and could not be repaired. That tree is located near the school’s parking lot on the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota. Owners of Meduri Farms, which sells Christmas Trees at the school each year, tried to repair the lights, but the damage was too severe.

In stepped neighborhood businesses and some area citizens with contributions that helped make the lighting happen. Thanks this year go to Just Dinners, Meduri Farms, KB Homes, Starbucks, Pizza My Heart, the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association and the Willow Glen Kiwanis Club. A special thank you goes to Dave Markham and his crew, who stepped in to string the lights on the tree.

Booksin first grader Annie Moulray sits on Santa’s lap for a picture. Santa’s stand-in is Jerry Chapman from the Willow Glen Kiwanis Club.

The heavy rains may have dampened some spirits; the E-List was active with residents questioning whether the tree lighting would go on. But Alexandra Hoppe, Willow Glen Elementary’s PTA president and the organizer of the annual community event, told everyone it would happen rain or shine.

Everything was ready early and a number of people arrived between 5:30 and 6 p.m. There were lots of activities to keep them busy.

Students and parents were browsing through the book fair in the library as well as the holiday gift shop for children to buy small gifts. A number of parents were buying books for teachers and classrooms with the purchasing line extending far back in the library.

There was a donation booth where teachers were collecting food, toys and money to help the “underserved community” at Willow Glen Elementary. The group also sold raffle tickets and two lucky gamblers each won a Christmas tree donated by Meduri Farms. And of course, Santa was there. Standing in for the toy guru was Jerry Chapman from the Willow Glen Kiwanis Club. Parents could purchase pictures of their children sitting on Santa’s lap with all the proceeds going to the school’s PTA for art and science enrichment.

Despite the rain, a large number of people turned out for the entertainment and the tree lighting.

The student council held a bake sale with lots of yummy goodies. Proceeds from the bake sale are used to buy playground and sporting equipment for the school. Girl Scout Troop 383 was collecting coats. Many of those attending came for dinner too and found themselves with many choices of pizza. All the money from that benefits the Willow Glen Community Youth Band.

The entertainment began about 6:30 with a welcome from Willow Glen Principal Dayle D’anna and a thank you from Hoppe to sponsors. She also introduced the musicians. First on the stage was the Community Youth Band and its director Scott Barnhill. The band consists of beginning, intermediate and advanced band students from all of the area schools that feed into Willow Glen Middle School.

The band played several songs and then made way for the Willow Glen Elementary fourth and fifth grade choir, the Willow Glen after school choir and the Booksin Elementary show choir. Just before the tree lights went on, the Willow Glen High School choir led the audience in several Christmas carols.

Finally, the lights went on, the tree swaying in the wind. It was a wonderful sight.