Nutley officially lit its holiday tree, a 42 foot Norway Spruce, in a new location — the Municipal Plaza in front of town hall on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: John Lee
Nutley officially lit its holiday tree, a 42 foot Norway Spruce, in a new location — the Municipal Plaza in front of town hall on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: John Lee
Nutley officially lit its holiday tree, a 42 foot Norway Spruce, in a new location — the Municipal Plaza in front of town hall on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Mila Silva, 9, and her brother, Anderson, 3, get their photo with a giant gingerbread man during Nutley’s tree lighting celebration on Sunday, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Angelina Argentieri, 5, stands next to a giant live toy soldier during Nutley’s tree lighting celebration on Sunday, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Washington Elementary School students gather at their table selling water and Grinch on a stick better known as green cotton candy during Nutley’s tree lighting celebration on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Mayor John Kelly III with his uncle, Joe Kelly roasting chestnuts in the parking lot of the Public Safety Building. Once again, the township roasted 100 pounds of chestnuts for residents.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
The NHS student council Class of ’27 sold some festive holiday gear during Nutley’s tree lighting celebration on Sunday evening, Dec. 8. Pictured are Samantha Bitten, Ava Vasquez and Lena Ageeb.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Kelly counted down as his goddaughter, godson and their cousins with the help of Commissioner Alphonse Petracco pulled the switch to light the tree. Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Nutley Commissioners Mauro G. Tucci and Joseph P. Scarpelli gathered for a photo during Nutley’s tree lighting celebration on Sunday, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Michael Chieffo of DJMC Entertainment brought some “snow” with him to bring some holiday magic to the tree lighting ceremony.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
NHS juniors, Catalina Narvaez and Samantha Alper of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield gave out dreidels and jelly doughnuts explaining the game and teaching people about Hanukkah.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Cameron Anderson, 6, gets his face painted after visiting with Santa Claus during Nutley’s tree lighting celebration on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Rev. Sherri Small of the First Baptist Church of Nutley gave the first blessing at Nutley’s tree lighting ceremony. Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Rabbi Julie Roth of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Montclair offered the second blessing at Nutley’s tree lighting ceremony.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Rabbi Marc Katz of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield offered the last blessing at Nutley’s tree lighting ceremony.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
The NHS Brass Ensemble under the direction of Vincent J. Vicchiariello, Nutley Schools coordinator of fine, practical & performing arts/career & technical education performs before the tree lighting.Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
As soon as Nutley’s holiday tree was lit the NHS Brass Ensemble under the direction of Vincent J. Vicchiariello, played “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”Photo Credit: Deborah Ann Tripoldi / Staff Photographer
Nutley officially lit its holiday tree, a 42 foot Norway Spruce, in a new location — the Municipal Plaza in front of town hall on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.Photo Credit: John Lee
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By Deborah Ann Tripoldi
Published December 11, 2024 at 7:45 PM
NUTLEY, NJ - Nutley officially lit its holiday tree, a 42 foot Norway Spruce, in a new location — the Municipal Plaza in front of town hall on Sunday evening, Dec. 8.
Mayor John V. Kelly III and the Nutley Commissioners Thomas J. Evans, Alphonse Petracco, Joseph P. Scarpelli and Mauro G. Tucci gathered together for the township’s oldest tradition kicking off the holiday season.
Additionally, joining in on the occasion were Senator Britnee N. Timberlake, Assemblywoman Carmen T. Morales and New Jersey Superior Court Judge Joanne Cocchiola.
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Offering the blessings were Rev. Sherri Small of the First Baptist Church of Nutley, and Rabbi Marc Katz of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield and Rabbi Julie Roth of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Montclair. Small said she would pray as she knows how and asked the spectators to join her. “[...] and for the opportunity to come together as a beloved community to give thanks for the many blessings [...],” she said. She added, “May this tree be a sign of good tidings.”
Roth went next and began by singing the song "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah." She then told the story of Hanukkah. “This year Hanukkah begins on Christmas Day and I think that symbolizes for me something so beautiful about being Jewish in America. Even though the Jewish community is a minority, we can enjoy religious freedom here. We really enjoy lighting the Hanukkah menorah here in Nutley,” she said. She added, “[...] The story teaches us that we can always add light to this world.”
Katz went last and sang his blessing as well. “This holiday falling at this time is no accident, so many traditions Jewish, Christian, Muslim the holidays bring light into the darkness. [...] We can reach into our own lights and light the lights of others bringing more light into this dark building,” he said.
Although Katz pointed out that the menorah can’t be lit during the evening’s ceremony because it's not yet Hanukkah he said at Hanukkah they say three blessings and the third can be said at any time, basically saying that the third is a thanks for allowing all to be present in the occasion.
“ [...] all religions, races and cultures and ethnicities come together as one in Nutley,” he said.
In a separate interview, the Mayor said he believes it brought the community closer together to the tree to see it up close rather than from a distance. “I think next year we will light the tree to kick off the event to celebrate around a lit tree,” he said,
Activities took place on both Chestnut Street and Franklin Avenue. People were able to take a miniature horse and buggy ride through Yanticaw Park. A giant living toy soldier and a giant living gingerbread man greeted residents of all ages.
In a big tent set up at the Nutley Elks Club parking lot children got a chance to meet Santa Claus and get their photo with him and get their face painted.
The youth of the township had tables set up selling food, drinks and items including water, cotton candy, cookies, ornaments, festive headbands and eyeglasses.
Catalina Narvaez and Samantha Alper, NHS juniors and members of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield gave out dreidels and jelly doughnuts explaining the game and teaching people about Hanukkah.
Kelly’s family roasted 100 pounds of chestnuts in the parking lot of the Public Safety Building.
Michael Chieffo of DJMC Entertainment emceed the celebration. He even brought some “snow” with him.
The Nutley High School Men’s Ensemble went caroling around the event space.
Once again the Nutley High School brass ensemble performed before the tree lighting opening up with “The First Noel.” As soon as the tree was lit they played “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Both groups are under the direction of Vincent J. Vicchiariello, Nutley Schools coordinator of fine, practical & performing arts/career & technical education.
Kelly counted down as his goddaughter, godson and their cousins with the help of Commissioner Alphonse Petracco pulled the switch to light the tree in its new location. Soon afterwards, Vincent United Methodist Church held their living nativity on their front lawn across the street from the township’s holiday tree.
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