32nd Annual Tree of Lights
Watchung Rescue Squad
The 32nd annual Tree of Lights event was held on Saturday, Dec 3rd on the Village Green.
The Watchung Rescue Squad 2022 Tree of Lights honors the origins of this winter tradition. Returning from vacation at Martha’s Vineyard in 1990, Judie McCumber approached the Watchung Rescue Squad with a suggestion for fundraising. For every donation, a light would be placed on a tree. After some discussion, Judie eventually convinced Captain Shirley Cattabiani and President Diddy Adario of this event’s potential, despite the fact that the town’s Village Green or even a tree had been established! With Judie’s persistence, Shirley’s can-do attitude, and Diddy’s direction, ground was broken, a tree was planted, and lights were strung. And thus, the Tree of Lights was born.
With Judie’s suggestions, the “original tree three” created a festive winter celebration and fundraiser that has come to be known as a Watchung tradition. The event originally took place on December 7th in honor of Pearl Harbor Day and remembrance of the lives lost protecting our freedom. Out of necessity, the ceremony was gradually established on the first Saturday of December. In addition, the Watchung Rescue Squad selects an annual dedication for an individual or group that has greatly impacted the Watchung community. Holding true to the themes of this celebration, the tree is always decorated with red and white lights for honor and remembrance. Donations to the Watchung Rescue Squad make it possible to commemorate lives and memories of our loved ones.
For over three decades, the countless members of the Squad and Watchung community have sustained the Tree of Lights through their dedication and support. Once again they extend their gratitude to all participants who have helped keep this tradition alive with their contributions, attendance, and cooperation.
The Watchung Rescue Squad 2022 Tree of Lights
In Honor: Agatha and Joanna Hallock, Angela and Trevor Brunskill, Bisignano Family, Caroline Karpa, Carrol and Leroy Nunn, Elizabeth Jean Aldrich, Gordon Nelson, Jack and Elaine Weiss, Lyrica, Aria and Caden McCumber Grandchildren, Ovarian Cancer Survivors, Rick Springler, Steven and Dale Hartman, The Bitenas Family, The Braulke Family, The Cicala Family, The Del Vento Family, The Falanga Family, The Fechtner Family, The French Family, The Ginter Family, The Jubin Family, The McDonald Wholey Family, The Savatta Family, The Schlotterbeck Family, The Speeney Family, The Stiles Family, The Young-Briant Family, The Woods Family, Vera Cardinal, Watchung’s 1st Responders
Business Honor: A & C Crab Seafood Distributions Inc., Angelo “C” Plumbing, Chick-fil-A, Garden State Fireworks, Gerard’s Landscaping and Disposal LLC, Rich’s Tree Service, Inc., San Remo Pizza Restaurant Deli, Tamke Tree Experts, Watchung Avenue Dental, Watchung Borough Hall, Watchung Fire Department, Watchung PBA, Watchung Police Department, Watchung Public Works
In Memory: Adam and Lucia Bodnar, Albert and Anna Bisignano, Albert Trabilsy, Alfred and Isabel Price, Alfred Seidel, Ann and Marshall Hoffman, Anna Bori, Annie Mitchell, Arthur and Linda Kauffman, Barbara Hess, Bill Titus, Bruno and Barbara Stahl, C.S. and Irene Loh, Carol Hayes, Carol June and Owen Nutto, Charles and Evelyn Rozzi, Charles R. Burke, Chris and Richard Hillman, Cody, Sam and Sugar Addario, Corinto Ferrara, Danielle Dum Stansky, David and Bill Arthur III and Lynne Hastrup, David and Mildred Smith, David Chalker, David F. O’Keefe, Dit and Wink Wheeler, Don Pannacciulli, Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Balogh, Dr. Bruce D. McCumber, Edward and Alfred Rebmann, Eileen Aylward, Elaine Kriznansky, Elvira and Charles Baculis, Ernie Rohrbach, Ettore and Mildred Scrima, Frank Pecoraro, Fred E. Diem, Fred Schaa, Fred and Sylvia Malchow, Gerome Family, Gloria Trabilsy, Grace Krajcovic, Hansbernd Cardinal, Helen J. Ruckriegel, Irene Roman, Jack Kavanagh, James and Grace McNamara, James J. Bordino Jr., Jeffrey Blackadar, Jim Patti, Jim and Anne Townsend, Joan Wesley Shuster, Joe and Frieda Juette, John and Hazel Shuster, John Blackadar, Katarina, Joseph and Ursula Cesarz, Kathleen and William Connelly, Kevin Brett, Liana Sá-Watchung EMT, Loved ones of the Pennett Family, Marion Curiazza, Mark and Rose Fogel, Martha and Milan Kriznansky, Martin C. Huska, Matthew Brown, Matthew Polito, Max P. Weber Sr., Mayor Anthony Addario, Michael Pedersen, Michael and Anne Kania, Mildred and Harry Wolford, Nancy Greeves, Paul and Debra Ianniello, Paul Schaa, Phil and Sue DeParto, Philip Confort, Philip Whitting and Mabel Geddes, Phyllis Blackadar, Ralph and Ruth Barrett, Reginald Cooper, Richard Biviano, Richard James Lubeck, Rina DiNardi, Robert (Bob) Rotanz, Robert A. Saracen, Robert Heyward Gibson, Rusty Martinson, Sally Buccarelli, Salvatore J. Puleo, Sandra Blumberg, Simon Doyle, Stella Barnett, The Flood Family, The Santaniello Family, Thomas and Marion Cowan, Thomas L. Raftery, Tom and Mary Daly, Tom Spontak, Virginia L. Smith, William and Annette Arthur, William W. Carlough, Winnie Dworak
