It was beginning to feel like Christmas at tree-lighting

Warwick - Although the temperature was a little on the cool side, there was a big turnout for Warwick’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Lewis Park on Friday evening, Nov. 25. Mayor Michael Newhard praised the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department, which sponsors the tree lighting ceremony and Santa’s early visit. He urged the large crowd to support local businesses during the Christmas shopping season and then reminded everyone that they should also help less fortunate citizens with gift giving programs such as Toys for Tots and The Angel Tree. “Christmas is not only about how much we get,” he said. “It’s how much we give.” Fire Chief Frank Corkum welcomed the visitors and explained that the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and visit by Santa Claus was a gift to the community from the Warwick Fire Department. Warwick Fire Department Chaplain Chris Yount, pastor of Warwick’s United Methodist Church, blessed the tree and then led the assembly in prayer. Once again, Santa made his early visit via a fire engine. He had a heavy workload this year as he handed out goodies to the large number of excited children who lined up to greet him. In 2003, the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony returned to Lewis Park after years of being held at the privately owned Railroad Green. The tree at Railroad Green, now a Village park, was removed during its rebuilding. At that time the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick provided the magnificent evergreen just outside its Old School Baptist MeetingHouse. The annual event traditionally marks the beginning of the local holiday season.