Elementary Chorus Serenades Lanesborough Christmas Tree Lighting
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Elementary schoolers serenaded the town's tree lighting with holiday tunes on Thursday evening.
The illuminated evergreen can be seen at the corner of Church Street and Route 7, the site of the former police department. Complimentary hot cocoa, decorated sugar cookies made by Bailey's Bakery in North Adams, and other treats helped attendees get into the holiday spirit.
The 9th annual tree lighting was hosted by a youth-run committee consisting of Mount Greylock Regional High School students Ava Charbonneau, Kiera Kristensen, and Madison Powell.
"It's wonderful. I think we had a great turnout considering how cold and snowy it is today and it just means a lot to see the town come together for something like this," Kristensen said. "And the chorus did great."
Charbonneau said Lisa Trybus, whose daughter started the event, was looking for youth to help out with the event and they answered the call.
"We met a few times, we wrote the speeches, and we made sure that this was all set," she said.
Nine years ago, Samantha Trybus and a couple of her friends fundraised to buy the tree and plant it. Now, the torch is being passed to younger generations.
"I just think it's really beautiful that this is still a tradition that was able to be carried on," she said.
"I'm really thankful that my mom and my little brother were able to keep it going while I was in college and I think it's great that there is a younger generation of these girls willing to take it over and I hope that it just keeps growing."
The tree began at her height nearly a decade ago and has grown to be impressively tall.
"It's cool to kind of see it as a landmark after all those years ago, it's almost been a decade," she said.
Longtime town volunteer Mary Ellen Donna had the important task of lighting the tree. She and her husband, John, are big supporters of the event, maintaining its lights every year.
Jake's Java, which opened earlier this year in honor of fallen Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, was thanked for providing the hot cocoa. Other sponsors include the Lanesborough Police Department, Adams Community Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Dog, Sayers Auto Wrecking, BCM General Contracting, and John's Tractor.
Tags: holiday story, tree lighting,
