Hurricane Sandy

After Sandy, Silverton Seeks 'Normalcy' with Holiday Tree Lighting

Tree lighting will be held at on Crowell Street at 7 p.m. Saturday

In hopes of returning some "normalcy" to the battered Silverton section of Toms River, residents there will celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting on Saturday night.  Many homes in the area are uninhabitable or only semi-habitable after flood waters entered homes when Hurricane Sandy struck, according to Township Clerk and historian Mark Mutter. Construction continues "all around" Silverton while others wait for insurance adjusters, he said. "My neighbors decided we needed some normalcy and have decided to have a Silverton Christmas tree lighting," said Mutter, a life-long Silverton resident whose home was deemed a total loss from the storm and will be demolished after the holiday season.  "Peoples’ lives still not …

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Township Tree Lighting Tonight at 6 p.m.

Toms River town hall will kick off the holiday spirit with a big tree and big fun

The spruce is strung up with lights, but they won’t be turned on for another couple hours. Toms River’s annual tree lighting (at 6 p.m. today) has used the tree in the esplanade outside town hall for as long as there has been a tree lighting, said Town Clerk Mark Mutter. Toms River Parks and Recreation staff need a lift to drape the evergreen with its strands of lights. There’s also a trolley track to lay, microphones to set up, and hot chocolate to brew. Toms River Fire Co. No. 1 will be helping Santa arrive by firetruck, said Carl Weingroff, of the department. The volunteer fire company will be offering pictures with Santa as a fundraiser for the firehouse, he said. “This is the second year pictures will be emailed to folks. It’s worked …

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Annual Tree Lighting Set to Music

Santa arrives in Downtown Toms River with live bands, artists performances

Children young and old absorbed the holiday cheer and danced to seasonal music leading up to the official tree lighting for Toms River on Dec. 3. Members of the community filled the downtown area for a chance to see Santa arrive by Toms River fire truck. The event was also marked by horse-drawn carriages, holiday food, musical performances and other entertainment. In addition to the holiday staples, the event was marked by musical performances from local band the Bill and Ron Show. The Monsignor Donovan  High School Chorus performed as well.The festivities took place in esplanade and streets adjacent to Ocean County library, where a stage was set up for the performances. Bill and Ron belted out the holiday carols, as did the Mon Don high …

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