On Sunday, December 5, 2010, thousands gathered outside the Brick Presbyterian Church on Park Avenue at dusk to celebrate the annual lighting of the “Park Avenue Trees,” a 2 ½ mile long memorial to the men and women who have lost their lives defending our country. The tradition of lighting trees on the avenue began in 1945 when a small group of Park Avenue families lit trees to honor the loved ones they lost in World War II; it has continued without interruption to this day.
In the early days, there were fewer trees and the lighting was underwritten by the founding families; today there are 104 trees and the project is managed by The Fund for Park Avenue, a non-profit organization whose mission is to plant, light and maintain the trees and flowers on the Park Avenue malls. Many people make contributions to The Fund each year to ensure that this wonderful New York tradition continues. The annual costs associated with the Tree Lighting are well over $300,000. The installation of the trees begins in early November and they remain lit through the middle of January on the malls between 54th and 96th Streets.
While the origins of the Tree Lighting are solemn, the overall mood of the evening is festive. For many it signifies the beginning of the holiday season in New York. There are parties in local restaurants as well as up and down the avenue as people come together to celebrate the season. A few worth mentioning are Stephanie and Fred Clark’s annual party in their Fifth Avenue apartment and dinner parties at Swifty’s and Island eateries.
The ceremony was organized by The Brick Presbyterian Church. Reverend Michael Lindvall presided and Minister of Music, Keith S. Tóth with the church’s children’s choir led the crowd in a round of popular Christmas carols. When Taps was played, a hush fell over the crowd as everyone was reminded of the original meaning of the lights.
Among the crowd were: Peg Ogden, who remembers attending the very first Lighting ceremony with her father; Derek Limbocker; Wendy and Chris Arriz; Heather and Tom Leeds; Barbara Dixon; Helena and Roman Martinez; Wendy Breck; Martha Glass; Carter and Amy Beal; Torrie and Doug Larson; George Larson; Amie and Scott Nuttal; Catherine and Carol Davis; Nancy and Otis Pearsall; Catherine Carey; Paul; Richard and Elizabeth Miller; Ann Colley; Natasha Bergreen; Peter and Janet Ley; Suzy and Fred Bancroft; Jane Wong; Roberta Sandeman; Arthur and Debbie Romaine; Helen and Jim Kerr; Mikel Witte; Kevin and Hugh McLaughlin; Polly and Alastair Hunt; Duke and Kathy Sofield; Kathleen McCarragher; Paul Brooke; Gloria and Mark Altherr; Eliza Madison; Chris McLaughlin; Sue and John Mathews; Suzanne Wolden; Kathleen Giordano and Carmine Cassino.
Those on the Tree Lighting Committee include Joanne Woodward, Muffie Potter and Dr. Sherrell Aston, David Rockefeller, Michael E. Scully, Daisy Soros, Jane Wyeth, Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, Hugh D. Auchincloss, John Atwater Bradley, Bates Brown, Patricia Burnham, Bryan J. Carey, Norma Dana, Catherine and Douglas Davis, Eleanor Acquavella Dejoux, Debbie Fechter, Amy Mazzola Flynn, Jamie Gibbs, Christopher Gray,Duane Hampton, Madeleine Rudin Johnson, Victoria and Douglas Larson, Vanessa and Stuart McLean, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Morse, Jr., Melinda Nelson, Lisa Podos, Mrs. Warrie Price, N. Anthony Rolfe, Pat and John Rosenwald, Mrs. Arnold Schwartz, Muriel Siebert, Polly Vietor Sheehan, Samantha McLean Spruance, Mr. and Mrs.Thomas W. Strauss, John C. Whitehead, and Mr. and Mrs. H. Joe Witte.
The Fund for Park Avenue Board of Directors are Ronald D. Spencer, Esq., Chairman, Mary Davidson, Eugenie Niven Goodman, Derek Limbocker, Helena Martinez, James McCollom, Jr., Judith Steckler, Margaret Ternes. Barbara McLaughlin is President and Jo-Ann M. Polise is Executive Director.
The Fund for Park Avenue President Barbara McLaughlin, Kevin McLaughlin and Hugh McLaughlin.
Minister of Music Keith S. Tóth.
Reverend Michael Lindvall of The Brick Presbyterian Church.
Roman Martinez and Helena Martinez.
Tom and Heather Leeds with son and Nancy Talcott (center).
Chris Arriz and Wendy Arriz.
Peter Ley, Janet Ley and family.
Derek Limbocker.
Linda Maniscalco and Carmine Cassino.
Stephanie Clark and Fred Clark.
Ann Colley with her son.
Photos: Images 3,4, 10 by Ann Watt. All others by Laurie Lembrecht
