Holiday Cheer on Manhattan Avenue

Holiday Cheer on Manhattan Avenue

By Khristina Narizhnaya

Moms with strollers, musicians and North Brooklyn politicians braved the freezing weather to participate in the much anticipated holiday lighting ceremony on Manhattan Avenue which took place in front of Greenpoint Toy Center.

“After a year like 2008, we all need a little light in our lives,” said Susan Anderson, Chair of Town Square, the organization who headlined the effort. Next year Town Square hopes to have enough lights to put lights on storefronts of every business on Manhattan Avenue, to make it “look like a Norman Rockwell Christmas village.”

To keep warm, the adults drank wine while tots ran around to the sounds of instrumental Christmas carols, performed by professional musicians David Ricard, Roy Synak and Sharif Clayton and Daniel Hernandez, the 10-year-old son of Greenpoint Toy Center’s owner Herman Hernandez.

Clayton was happy to participate in the ceremony and spread holiday cheer. “It’s a great experience to get everyone in the holiday spirit,” said Clayton.

“Nothing says Christmas like lights and music,” said Sarah Ricard, a member of the Grand Street Community Band, who was there to support husband David Ricard.

Hernandez said he very happy about the lights, explaining that they will make customers feel festive while they shop for toys.

“I’m ecstatic that Susan and everyone else put this together,” said Hernandez. “It would have been a dismal holiday season without them.”

District Manager Gerald Esposito said he was happy to expedite the permits for the lights to be put up.

“I really got to hand it to Susan for her commitment in carrying this out,” said Esposito.

Among the attendees was Assemblyman Joe Lentol, who also expressed his appreciation. “It proves Christmas is recession-proof,” Lentol said. “We are very pleased that we have impresarios like Town Square and Susan Anderson that could put it all together.”