Big tree

Hundreds turned out for the tree lighting in Wantage, including special guests Miss Wantage Ann Marie Lanzilotti and Little Miss Wantage Nora Ricker, who led the crowd in singing the national anthem. The High Point Chamber Singers entertained with several holiday classics. Santa was delivered by the Wantage Township Fire Company and he was joined in lighting the tree by Katherine Vatalaro, winner of the annual essay contest. Numerous volunteers helped remove the old lights, rewire the electrical system and install the new ones. It took 15 hours to install over 2,000 lights. The project and event was organized by Wantage Recreation Committee. Sussex Fire Department supplied the ladder truck and installed the new lights. Their volunteers were: Rich Crowell, Dan Stoll, Jake Little, Andy Boutillette, Colleen Little, Danielle Little, Chris Lordy, Tim Rand, Gary Roemer, Melissa Stormes, Bill Suchoski, Mike Clark, Bob Stormes, Craig Hough and Bob Regavich. Sussex Wantage Regional School District employees Bob Gomes, Donnie Hough and Bill Decker installed the new electrical system and helped install new lights.