Florida gathers for tree lighting

Florida - A cold wind and a few fleeting snow flurries did little to chill the heart-warming tree lighting last Friday in the Village of Florida. Christmas carols, courtesy of the Golden Hill second-graders backed up by their own instrumental group, opened the annual ceremony in front of the Village Hall. Even Santa Claus dropped in, escorted by the Florida Fire Department and Rescue Squad, to wish everyone a happy holiday. He stayed around to distribute toy fire trucks, coloring books and oranges to almost 400 children. After a brief commentary by Village Mayor James Pawliczek, the swaying spruce was set ablaze with hundreds of lights painstakingly placed by the village Department of Public Works. The Village Hall, with its wraparound front porch, seems to be an ideal location for this joyous event. The children’s smiles were matched only by those of their parents and grandparents. The tree and the staid brick building present a dazzling entrance into and exit from the village.