_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD Also serving Lakeview
Holiday makers market open
Celebrating every day miracles
MHS principal on research panel
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Vol. 32 No. 50
DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2025
$1.00
Christmas event draws thousands to the village By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com
Christine Rivera/Herald
Santa and Mrs. Claus traveled through the village greeting all attendees at the Malverne tree lighting ceremonies on Saturday.
Christmas lights adorned the Village of Malverne on Saturday, when thousands of people descended onto Hempstead Avenue for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. “The holiday lighting is one of the most special nights in Malverne,” State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Malverne native, said. “It makes us the envy of all of Nassau County because no one does it like Malverne. Every year, no matter where I’m asked to go, I will always be in my hometown, in Malverne.” The Dever Holiday Ensemble kicked off the festivities, and then ushered in the village’s elf parade. Led by the Pride of Malverne Marching Band, the parade included bright and festive floats, which delivered Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Malverne train station house, where children had the opportunity to take photos and ask for a Christmas wish. Continued on page 10
Halls Pond festivities for Hanukkah and Christmas By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com
Hundreds of people gathered in West Hempstead’s Halls Pond Park on Sunday to enjoy the festivities of Holiday at Halls Pond. The annual celebration is organized by the West Hempstead Community Support Association to celebrate the lighting of the menorah and a Christmas tree. “Holiday at Halls is our children’s party, tree and menorah lighting for the community,” WHCSA President Maureen Mahoney said. “It’s how we bring the community together, which I feel is important to do
as often as we can.” T h e D e c. 5 c e l e b r at i o n included a variety of free activities that local children enjoyed. There was a Build a Stuffed Animal station where children had the opportunity to make their own stuffed bear, dog or elephant to bring home, as well as a bounce house, glitter tattoos, ornament making, balloon animals, face painting and more. Children sang along and danced to popular party tunes alongside Bluey (from the TV series) and Olaf (from Disney’s Frozen films), and even Santa joined in on the fun. Members of the Lakeview Fire Depart-
W
ithout Hanukkah, there would be no Christmas.
REV. RAy loRtHIoIR Senior pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church ment, who also helped decorate the tree, brought the man in red to the festivities on the fire truck. Santa was also available for pictures and to hear children’s Christmas wishes. There was cotton candy, popcorn, gingerbread cookies and
hot chocolate available for attendees to enjoy. T he Rev. Ray Lor thioir, senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Anthony Stanganelli, of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead, shared holiday blessings with the attendees before the tree lighting. “Without Hanukkah, there
would be no Christmas,” Lorthioir said to the crowd, “because Hanukkah celebrates the fact that Jewish people were saved from destruction, and God provided them with a miracle. So the Jewish people survived, and from that, Jesus of Nazareth was born into the world.” Lorthioir reminded the parContinued on page 3