ATKINSON “LIGHT THE TREE” CELEBRATION
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 30 TH

( ATKINSON , NH ) – The Town of Atkinson 's fifth annual “Light the Tree” celebration at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2006, starting at 5:30 p.m. Area residents are invited to be a part of the free seasonal celebration and holiday activities. Guests are also encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program as well as non-perishable food items for local food pantries.

This fun-filled, family event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a variety of activities for children and adults, including music, caroling, arts & crafts, face painting, hayrides around the country club, ice carving demonstrations, and more. Guests are invited to gather around the 40+ foot evergreen tree in anticipation of Santa's arrival on a fire truck for the official tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. After the tree is lit, children can meet Santa in the Legacy Ballroom. Resort staff will be available to take Polaroid photos of children with Santa for $3 per photo upon parent or guardian request. Enjoy complimentary cookies, donuts, cider, hot chocolate, coffee, tea and water. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for sale outside, and the Resort's restaurants will be open regular hours.

“We wish to thank the Town of Atkinson, volunteers, contributors and our staff for their efforts toward making this event such a success, year after year,” said Chris tine Lewis Morse, general manager of the Atkinson Resort & Country Club. “We're pleased to be able to host this event which has become an annual tradition for area families to kick off the holiday season.”

About Atkinson Resort & Country Club
Open to the public at all times, the Atkinson Resort & Country Club is located at 85 Country Club Drive in Atkinson, NH, just minutes off routes 495 and 93. At the resort, guests can experience a breathtaking 18-hole championship golf course (rated among the top golf courses for 2004-2005, according to Golf Digest ), the Stagecoach Grille Restaurant, Merrill's Tavern with year-round virtual golf, overnight accommodations and wedding and conference facilities that are second-to-none. For general information or directions, please call the Atkinson Resort & Country Club at (603) 362-8700 or visit www.atkinsonresort.com.