Nokesville’s first annual tree lighting was held on Friday, December 13 near the Welcome Sign. The pre-holiday event was filled with music, singing, cookies and hot cider. Unfortunately, for that one evening at least, the cold precipitation which accompanied it was rain, rather than snow. The wet weather drove the program indoors to the Nokesville Church of the Brethren across the street, where it continued without a hitch.

About 40 attendees and 35 program participants braved the weather to be part of this first for Nokesville, co-sponsored by NBA and the Nokesville Ruritans. Stan Keys, a member of both, formulated the idea and brought it to life.

Program participants included: then-current NBA President Tom Basham; Reverend Joe Klotz (Nokesville United Methodist Church) who also led a singalong; BDHS Jazz Band and BDHS Treble Choir under the direction of Sharon Steele; Reverend Tom Bowser (Nokesville Church of the Brethren).

In addition, NBA Vice President Tony Slaga and lifelong resident Anna Hooker lit a back-up tree, a small representation of the larger, live tree across the street which Mrs. Hooker also lit before coming indoors. The audience didn’t seem disappointed though; the applause went up in the spirit of the occasion.

Basham acknowledged several people and organizations for putting together this event, including the Gehlsen Tree Farm for its donation of the tree and the Ruritans for its lights. He also thanked Dorothy Slaga for her hard work on behalf of NBA, which has included the newsletter, publicity, business directory and much more to realize the missions and goals of NBA.