( ATKINSON, NH, December 2, 2005 ) – Close to 3,000 residents of Atkinson and surrounding communities enjoyed an evening of holiday festivities at last night's fourth annual “Light the Tree” celebration at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club. Sharing in the spirit of the season, guests brought bountiful donations for the Toys for Tots program and local soup kitchens. In total, approximately 300 unwrapped toys and 425 non-perishable food items were donated by the community to benefit area families in need.
This fun-filled, community-building event held at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club kicked off at
5:30 p.m. with a variety of activities, including music, caroling, arts & crafts, face painting, hayrides, ice carving demonstrations and more. At 6:30 p.m. , children and adults gathered around the 55-foot tall evergreen tree in anticipation of Santa's arrival on a fire truck and the official lighting by Santa. With a count down from 10 and a honk of the horn, the tree lights were lit and everyone cheered. In unison, an impressive fireworks show was underway.
“We want to thank all of our volunteers, contributors and staff for their efforts toward making this event such a success, year after year,” said Christine Lewis Morse, general manager of the Atkinson Resort & Country Club. “We're pleased to be able to host this event which is becoming an annual tradition for area residents to kick off the holiday season.”
The Atkinson Resort & Country Club thanks the following contributors for their event support:
- Town of Atkinson Recreational Committee
- Atkinson Fire Department
- Atkinson Community Television
- Timberlane Community Band
- Timberlane Community Chorus
- Atkinson Women's Civic Club (cookie decorating)
- Toys for Tots/Londonderry Marine Corps.
Office
- Mr. & Mrs. Jack Sapia (tree)
- Bob Wisecarver
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- Atkinson Girl Scouts (face painting)
- Salem Observer (ornament decorating)
- Nike & Titleist (golf balls)
- Sysco (cookies)
- Atlas Fireworks
- East Coast Lumber
- Lewis Builders
- Rick Dube and Harold Morse (hay wagon
drivers)
- George Dube, Randy Larich, Peter Lewis
and Harold Morse (tree removal & set up)
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“Light the Tree” Fun Facts
One week of planning and 35 man hours are required to locate, cut down, transport
and set up the tree
55-feet is the height of the tree
3,050 bulbs light the tree
80 man hours are needed to string the lights on the tree
10 seconds is Santa's count down to light the tree
1,500 cookie s and 700 apple cider fritters are eaten*
48 gallons of hot chocolate and apple cider are consumed*
1,500 kids sit on Santa's lap*
28 loops around the Resort property are made by four hay wagons
85 employees work at the event (almost all of the Resort's employees!)
* Numbers estimated based on the 2004 event.
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.
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