Because the AOH sold the property that contained the traditional Christmas tree, this year’s tree lighting ceremony was held at St. James on Saturday, December 8. It was also moved to 4 pm because no one was sure about what time the new solar-powered Christmas lights would go on.
The Property Owners asked Pastor Nebrasky if they could use St James as the location for this year’s ceremony. St. James and the pastor were more than happy to allow the community to use the yard. However, since the AOH display was elaborate and involved many lights, there was a concern that the electricity load would be too much because of the age of the church.
The Property Owners found a solution to the problem: solar-powered Christmas lights. They bought 6 strands of multi-colored 100 LED at $80 each.
On Saturday a group of volunteers helped to put up the lights and sponsor wreaths. Jane O’Flaherty, Donna Davis Cathy & Terrence Shea, Bob Banham, Janet Behrens, Danny Smith, and Kevin Howard were among the volunteers.
At the ceremony Lilybeth’s Little Big Players sang Christmas songs and the Gerritsen Beach marching band played some songs as well. Lew Fidler, Marty Golden, and Alan Maisel were all there to wish Gerritsen Beach a happy holiday and then went downstairs in the church to have some hot chocolate to warm up from the cold.
It was a good family fun ceremony…
As for the tree and the lights themselves I’m not going to lie or try and sugar coat it: The tree isn’t that great. The lights are very dim and I’m not even sure if its the “right type” of evergreen. With all of the donations gathered by the Property Owners something better should of been done. I know it’s hard to organize but if we as a community want something great we should get something great.
If the electricity was a concern, it shouldn’t have been held there. Instead $480 ($80 * 6) was spent on solar lights which seems very expensive and not worth the result.
I heard that next year’s tree will be much better. Maybe even somewhere else. Although St. James is a perfect location, being right smack in the middle of the beach, something different will have to be done if they want to keep it there.
I’d like to know why something different will have to be done if they want to keep the Christmas Tree Lighting at St. James. It’s only been three days since, and I have not heard that next year’s tree will be better. We understand that this site is your own blog, and we are all entitled to our opinions, but the truth is that unless there’s fact to some of these statements, maybe they should not be stated as such. As to the lights, there is much to be learned in trial and error and if the organizations who formulated the plans for the Lighting feel there was an error, I’m sure they will make changes for next time. Volunteers are exactly that and if contributions from the community paid for the solar lights, then the Many of us who belong to our neighborhoods’ organizations do not have one more thing to volunteer to do (like plugging in lights every night this month), then in my opinion the money was spent appropriately.
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Something different will be done and I did hear that next years tree will be better. I dare to care because im there listening to people of the community and asking questions.
There is no plan for a new site or new tree yet because it is still 2007, and we have to keep what we got.
It didnt take me long for me to find a better deal for lights. instead of $80 each i found the same lights for $9 each.
$9 Lights
$80 seems very steep.
I did distinguish the event summary from my commentary and its fair to say that what “I heard” can be taken with a grain of salt.
@dare2care
“Volunteers are exactly that and if contributions from the community paid for the solar lights, then the Many of us who belong to our neighborhoods’ organizations do not have one more thing to volunteer to do (like plugging in lights every night this month), then in my opinion the money was spent appropriately”
Ever heard of a timer? They volunteer their time.
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The picture of the dimtly lit St. James Tree is hilariously juxtaposed in front of the brightest, most garishly decorated house! The house in the background (to the left of the tree) is so bright and festive!
If the electricity at St.James is such a concern that a few strings of Christmas lights might overload the circuit, then shouldn’t that be a bigger problem? Maybe the $480 should have been spent on an electrician or a small generator, or a really long extension cord leading to a “safe” outlet.
I applaud the attempt at being “green” and using solar lights, and of course making the best out of a less-than-perfect situation, but I definately think that the Property Owner’s association should aim to improve next year’s tree.
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Hey Ginger why dont you offer to put the tree in your front yard.There is plenty of hot air coming out of your mouth that should be enough to run the lights on the tree for a year.St James has enough to pay for with all the drug and AA meeting going on there.The little bit of money these groups pay is not enough to heat or even light the basement.
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That post was from one year ago.
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I know when it was posted i can read but thanks anyway.
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I drove by the tree last night & at first, thought someone forgot to plug it in. It is possible that with the brightness of the Avenue decorations & the house on Aster Court makes the lights on the tree seem non-existant but the same complaint has been said about Rockefeller Center this year. the tree is still pretty, dim or not
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I think with some more decorations and with more bigger and better lights the tree will look nice. As for the house on Aster IT ROCKS!!!
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The house on aster looks like its on fire, with all of those lights
im going to go around this weekend and take pics of the entire neighborhood.
Lets stop all the complaining and just be thankful that we have volunteers in this neighborhood to put together these events. Thank you GBPOA, other GB organizations and anyone else that volunteers to make this neighborhood great. My family and I appreciate all you do.
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Wow, you pepole complain about everything. You all need to try and enjoy things and take them for what they are.it,s a christmas tree folks.
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I just have a simple question…….Does ST. James still have their band?
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