Mayor Peter Bee and Santa got ready to light the three Village trees. Residents and visitors to the Village turned out for the Chamber's 54th Village tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 7. While freezing weather conditions and prediction for wind and snow precluded the 32nd and final performance of the Village Music Makers big band, director Tom Wagner is not retiring as some may have thought, and will continue to perform with his renowned band for future community events.

Entertainment at this year's event included the Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble's presentation of a repertoire of specialized holiday tunes, a juggler plus lots of goodies for the youngsters distributed by Astoria Federal Savings, contributing sponsor. The Garden City Fire Department provided hot chocolate to warm up the crowd and Santa Claus arrived on the Fire Department's huge pumper "truck-sleigh."

The Chamber of Commerce, who coordinated the event, thanked Astoria Federal, the Village Departments of Public Works, Parks and Recreation for contributing to the success of the program. Thanks also to Bagelman, Dunkin' Donuts, Kings Supermarket and Riesterer's Bakery.

Garden City's volunteer firefighters kept the crowd warm with hot chocolate.

Mary Trapani, Garden City resident and her children, Blaise, Dean and Blakely braved the freezing weather. (L-R): Jim Meehan, chief of the Garden City Fire Department; Chamber President Roger Eltringham; Village Trustees Nick Episcopia and Gerard Lundquist; Deputy Mayor John Mauk; Mayor Peter Bee; George Engelke, event sponsor and Althea Robinson, Chamber executive director. George L. Engelke, chairman and CEO, Astoria Federal Savings with Patricia Donnelly, Garden City branch manager and Astoria Federal associates. Santa greeted the assembled children. George L. Engelke, Jr., chairman and CEO, Astoria Federal Savings, sponsor, greeted the crowd. Here comes Santa atop the fire department's huge pumper "truck-sleigh." (L-R): The Chamber's Liz Denby, assistant director and Althea Robinson, executive director. The renowned Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble rang in the season with a specialized repertoire of holiday tunes under the direction of Robert Ludwig, choral music director. (L-R): Roger Eltringham, president of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce; Gerard Lundquist, Village trustee; Mayor Peter Bee; Deputy Mayor John Mauk; Trustee Nick Episcopia and George L. Engelke, Jr., chairman and CEO, Astoria Federal Savings, event sponsor. (L-R): Immediate past Mayor Gerard Lundquist; Mayor Peter Bee; Vincent Muscarella, Nassau County legislator; Deputy Mayor John Mauk and Village Trustee Nick Episcopia. Santa makes his way to the Gazebo, entertaining the "little ones" on route. Roger Eltringham, president of the Chamber, greeted the crowd. A juggler was on hand to entertain the youngsters. Mayor Peter Bee with Santa (actually Larry Nedelka, past chief of the Garden City Fire Department). Detective and youth officer Rich Pedone of the Garden City Police Department with an associate. The crowd gathered at the Village Gazebo for the Chamber's 54th Village tree lighting ceremony.