Posen hosts festive memorial tree dedication
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
The annual memorial Christmas tree dedication was conducted Saturday night in the warm and toasty Route 65 Diner, across the roadway from the township park where the holiday manger and trees have been lighting up the evenings downtown. The front room of the restaurant, in view of the park, was packed to near capacity with people of the community. Some of them were dressed in their Christmas-attire. Sister Rita Epple of St. Dominic Catholic Church led Christmas carols and Posen Chamber of Commerce president Randy Idalski read the names on the memorial trees. An area in front of the manger was plowed out, so people could walk up to the manger and read the names. The season?s first major snowfall earlier in the week makes it almost impossible to view the trees.
BECA– USE OF village president Marilyn Kaszubowski?s health concerns, other than the selling of all the trees, this is the first year the chamber completely took over t
?I think it went great. It was a lot of work, but I think a lot of people appreciate it,? said chamber treasurer Lorraine Smigelski. ?We had a lot more calls for trees this year. We had 85 trees total. Last year, she (Kaszubowski) had 75.? The trees are in the shape of a star around the manger, so they can be seen a little better than in previous years. ?WE ALREADY have people asking for trees for next year,? said Smigelski. ?A family that would have had one this year, for next year they want to have two or three. I think it?s going to continue to grow bigger and bigger.?
People entering the restaurant received Christmas cards from the chamber as they walked in and prizes were given away from the numbers in the cards. Cookies, coffee and cocoa were enjoyed at the conclusion. The event started with the addition of the manger downtown. Smigelski commended Shirley Budnik for her assistance. Smigelski said, ?we appreciate everyone who volunteered.? The chamber?s next event is their zapusty dance, Feb. 13.