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Anya Tikka | Democrat
Village of Monticello and Town of Bethel officials celebrate the arrival of the Christmas tree in the county seat. Holding the banner: Monticello Recreation Director Michael Greco, left, and Karen Stogner from the Recovery Center. Front row, from the left: Pine Farm owner Fred Likel, Bethel Supervisor Daniel Sturm, Monticello Village Manager John Ligreci, Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins, and Monticello Village Trustee Carmen Rue. Back Row, from the left: Bruce DuBois from Bethel Highway Department, Bethel Councilman Robert Blais, Nugget Chef Andrew Yeoman, Jim Country of Country Tow Truck, Monticello Deputy Mayor TC Hutchins,and Activity Committee members Jennifer Harrin and Terry VanderMeulen.
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Monticello starts a ‘new’ tradition
By Anya Tikka
MONTICELLO — Monticello is going to have its own Christmas tree this year.
The 40-foot tree was donated by Fred Likel of the Pine Farm in Youngsville. He was approached by Andrew Yeoman, who is the chef at the Nugget Restaurant in Monticello, and part of a committee formed to organize events such as the National Night Out in August.
Formed by Village Manager John LiGreci, it has the informal title of Village of Monticello Activity Committee.
“I got sick of hearing all the bad things about Monticello,” said Yeoman, “I grew up here and moved my family back here. This is one of the good things happening here.”
State troopers and Sheriff’s deputies, along with Village of Monticello police and Bethel constables accompanied the tree. Village officials contacted Town Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm to use the town’s highway department’s equipment to move the large tree.
“They didn’t have a trailer long enough,” Sturm explained. “We were happy to help them out… and work together for a good cause.”
Village Trustee Carmen Rue, who is an committee member, said she was happy that the village was doing things for people for the holidays, sentiments shared by Mayor Gordon Jenkins of Monticello, and LiGreci.
The tree will stand on the corner of St. John’s Street and Broadway.It will be lighted on Saturday, December 10 at 5 p.m.
“There will be ceremonies, singing, and celebrating for the community to take part in,” said Mayor Jenkins. “It’s beautiful that a gentleman gave us the tree.”
The Activity Committee meets in the Village Hall and everyone is welcome to join. Call the Village Manager John LiGreci at 794-6130 ext. 307.
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