The Mercury (Pottstown, PA)

Montco officials usher in holiday season

- By Carl Hessler Jr. chessler@21st-centurymed­ia.com @MontcoCour­tNews on Twitter

NORRISTOWN >> With the lighting of a Christmas tree, a menorah and a kinara outside the Montgomery County Courthouse, county officials ushered in the holiday season.

“This has become a wonderful annual tradition. I want to wish everyone a wonderful, joyous holiday season. I hope everyone gets a lot of time with family and friends,” county commission­ers’ Chairwoman Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Wednesday during the annual ceremony on the courthouse plaza in observance of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Officials thanked members of the county’s public property department for decorating the Christmas tree and making the courthouse festive. The county also displays a large Christmas tree inside the courthouse on the grand staircase off the Swede Street entrance.

“I want to wish everyone a happy holiday season. Truly, this is a special occasion. We’re looking forward to a prosperous 2019,” commission­er Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. said before the three commission­ers conducted a ten-second countdown to the tree lighting.

Lawrence said he’s also

looking forward to the upcoming annual performanc­e of the Montgomery County Courthouse Chorus on the grand staircase of the courthouse.

“I’ve prepared my solo. I’ve been practicing in the shower,” Lawrence joked, eliciting laughter from spectators who attended the holiday ceremony.

Commission­er Joseph C. Gale said it’s hard to believe the close of 2018 is just a few short weeks away.

“It puts everything in perspectiv­e of what we have to be grateful here as we celebrate all the holidays throughout this month,” Gale said. “Make sure you cherish that time with your loved ones and family and again remember what we have to be grateful for as American citizens and celebrate all the joy of the season together.”

The courthouse chorus performed several holiday selections during the ceremony.

 ?? GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Montgomery County commission­ers watch as a tree, Menorah and Kinara are lighted in Norristown Wednesday.
GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Montgomery County commission­ers watch as a tree, Menorah and Kinara are lighted in Norristown Wednesday.
 ?? PHOTOS BY GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Above, a choir made up of Montgomery County employees sing for attendees during holiday celebratio­n at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Wednesday.At right, Montgomery County celebrates the holidays by lighting a Christmas tree, Menorah and Kinara in Norristown on Wednesday.
PHOTOS BY GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Above, a choir made up of Montgomery County employees sing for attendees during holiday celebratio­n at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Wednesday.At right, Montgomery County celebrates the holidays by lighting a Christmas tree, Menorah and Kinara in Norristown on Wednesday.
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 ?? GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Montgomery County commission­ers Ken Lawrence Jr., Valerie Arkoosh and Joseph Gale speak before the lighting of a tree, Menorah and Kinara at the county courthouse on Wednesday.
GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Montgomery County commission­ers Ken Lawrence Jr., Valerie Arkoosh and Joseph Gale speak before the lighting of a tree, Menorah and Kinara at the county courthouse on Wednesday.

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