Village of Florida lights up, sings out for the Holidays

FLORIDA-Let there be light! Also song, music, gifts and tons of good will. The annual tree-lighting festivities took place last Friday evening at the staid, old Village Hall on South Main Street in the Village of Florida. Holiday music and singing was courtesy of the students from Golden Hill Elementary School. Their state was the porch and front steps of that sprawling brick building that was spruced up and decorated for the season. Because of the lack of snow, Santa Claus, with his brightly-wrapped gifts, oranges, candy canes and ho-ho-ho's, arrived via fire truck rather than his traditional sleigh. The Florida Fire Department provided the transportation as well as holiday goodies. Fireman Jeff Babcock, master of ceremonies, and Tim Brunswick, jolly Santa, delighted the large crowd of children and adults. Village Mayor James Pawliczek wished everyone good cheer and watched as the spruce tree on the village lawn came ablaze with lights. A warm, small-town miracle.