A most enchanted Holiday Lighting

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There are numerous people who work tirelessly to ensure that Malverne retains the charm for which it is known — and there is perhaps no better example of that fact than the village’s annual Holiday Lighting.

Last week, the culmination of their efforts resulted in the creation of over 30 events, with many free to the public, that welcomed adults and children to decorate holiday cookies, have breakfast with Santa, dance under the stars at the Historical House, pray with residents before the tree lighting, take a horse-driven carriage ride through the village, and many others.

Like the holidays, all this magic seems to just happen automatically each year, but there is an extensive team of volunteers behind the scene, creating the magic — from the mayor herself, to village employees, and your next-door neighbor in Malverne. “The whole board puts the Holiday Gala together,” said Rose Miller, a trustee of the Malverne Historical Society. Miller said preparations start in August and build from there, as the society reaches out for more volunteers to help them. “The bartenders are all volunteers. One of them is my brother and one Rosalie knows,” said Miller. “Nobody takes any money and everything goes to back the society.”

There were 26 people listed on the Holiday Lighting committee — plus the numerous stores and nonprofits in the village that all contribute their own special talents.

And while they were all busy implementing Malverne’s most enchanted weekend, a team of over two dozen members of the Malverne Police, together with the Malverne Auxiliary and Nassau County Auxiliary kept the streets clear and safe, working swiftly, unobtrusively, and keeping the focus on the holiday cheer filling what seemed like every nook and cranny in the village.