The city has a community Christmas tree for the first time. The 26-foot tree with a 4-foot star on top is located at Veteran’s Park, Kennedy Boulevard and Landis Avenue. I haven’t counted them, but I’m told that the tree has 1437 clear lights. Also new this year is an illuminated “Season’s Greetings” marquis on Kennedy Boulevard between the police and ambulance corp buildings.

Kennedy Boulevard and Landis Avenue have been decked out with numerous holiday displays. Additional lighting has been placed on the islands and the gazebo is now lit. Four new reindeer have been placed next to the gazebo. There are more snowflakes now on Landis Avenue, all the way from 38th Street to 59th Street. Lights have also been added to the Townsends Inlet gazebo. Kudos to our Public Works crew who worked very hard erecting the decorations and stringing the lights.

Many homeowners have registered for the annual House Lighting Contest. The Garden Club of Sea Isle City will do the judging tomorrow evening, Thursday, Dec. 13. Prizes have been provided by 1st Bank of Sea Isle City and Rocky & Fred’s Florist.

According to the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, it was in 1889 when the first exterior Christmas tree lit with electric lights was displayed in Madison Square Park in New York City. Each light bulb was individually wired; they were not “string” lights.

Before World War II, simple displays of electric “candles” in windows were popular. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that strings of lights for exterior use were manufactured in quantity. They were very popular in the 1950s and ‘60s. I remember looking forward to my family driving to my uncle’s house in Roxborough each Christmas and seeing Grace Kelly’s house all lit up. Popularity waned during the energy crisis of the 1970s, but, since that time, they have regained their popularity as a universally recognized way to decorate the outside of one’s house for Christmas.

Meanwhile, Santa is taking a break from his North Pole workshop to meet with our children. VFW Post 1963 will host a Brunch with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m. for children up to 10 years old. The Sea Isle City Fire Department will hold a Visit With Santa evening on Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. Children will receive presents and ice cream at the fire house on Kennedy Boulevard. Parents can call the Recreation Department at 263-0050 for information on these events.

C