After concerns the Rotary Club wouldn’t have the manpower to put on their annual tree lighting ceremony, the beloved community event is a go.
When Rotarian Al Sypek, who previously served as the Town’s fire chief, informed Town Councilor Jim Butler the Rotary Club wasn’t setting up the Christmas lights on the Common this year, Butler told Sypek they “could not let the tradition die.”
“No one let me know they were not going to have it,” said Sypek, a longtime member of the Rotary Club.
Sypek asked the Club if he could use their equipment to set up the event with the assistance of local volunteers, and the answer was yes.
“(Sypek) has really been leading the show as far as making sure the event goes on,” Rotary Club Spokesman George Brooks said. “We were heartbroken when we were thinking this wasn’t going to come off, but now we’re extremely happy to have found a way to keep this going. It’s a full-blown community effort.”
On Dec. 6, Sypek, Butler and volunteers David Lundgren and Zach O’Brien raised 18 Christmas trees on the Town Common in anticipation of the tree lighting ceremony, which was re-scheduled for Sun., Dec. 13.
Brooks and members of the Londonderry Fire Department also assisted with setting up the display, and even fixated a spotlight on the Town monument.
The trees were donated by Ron Hill of Shady Hill Greenhouses, Sypek and Butler, who also donated several tree stands.
Civic groups, like Boy and Girl Scout troops and church groups, will decorate the trees with animal and environmentally friendly decorations.
The tree lighting ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., to be followed soon after with a special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and one of their elves.
Families will enjoy cider and cookies provided by the Rotary Club, and the Town is working to arrange choral performances by the Girls Scouts and a local elementary school chorus.
“This will be a combination effort between private citizens, local groups and town employees. That’s what we want to see moving forward,” Sypek said.