A heartfelt tree lighting

AMENIA — The first lighting of the two evergreens outside Amenia Town Hall occurred shortly after sundown on Saturday, Dec. 17.Townspeople and members of the town government gathered outside Town Hall to sing carols and eat holiday treats before the 6,600 lights were lit during a special ceremony.The two trees were originally planted in the early 1990s in honor of Krista Proper, 8, and Melissa Proper, 6, two local girls who died in a tragic car accident on Bog Hollow Road in 1990.Several members of the Proper family attended the ceremony. The girls’ parents currently live in Florida and were unable to attend.The girls’ uncle, Steven Proper, said his nieces were greatly loved by their family and their friends. “They will always be loved and remembered,” he said.He and his brother, Ron Proper, had the honor of lighting the trees for the first time.Town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard was the one who first came up with the idea to light the two trees. He said that he was originally unaware of the history and the significance of the evergreens, but that it was “heartwarming” to see the outpouring of donations from the community and the local businesses.In all, 55 area residents and businesses made donations to purchase the lights and finance the event. Local businesses also donated their time and services, which included installing the electricity at the base of the trees and putting on the strings of lights.Fundraiser Kevin Cassone said that he believes this fundraising initiative was one of the biggest ones ever done in the town, outside of those held by the local fire company.Cassone said the donations were enough to purchase several thousand LED lights, which use only 1,000 watts of electricity as opposed to the 16,000 watts of traditional holiday light strands. He said enough LED lights were purchased to continue covering the trees as they grow over the next decades.