On Saturday night, an area formerly known as the Mudhole on Shelton Avenue was alive with sparkling holiday lights, the sweet harmonies of a Christmas hymn, and a group of neighbors settled around a bonfire, toasting s’mores. The occasion was the first annual Newhallville Tree Lighting, part o f a weekend-long holiday celebration that included gift giveaways, seasonal treats, and storytelling performances. “This started with the holiday lights house decorating contest in 2022,” said Jeanette Sykes, director of the Newhallville Community Services Development Corporation (CSDC), which organized the weekend events. “We saw the way the lights made our neighborhood feel more homey and secure, and that went to our longer aim of improving our quality of life.” They added music because, Sykes said, “it brings people out and brings people together.” Brooke, at her first Christmas tree lighting celebration. Doreen Abubakar, who spearheaded the transformation of the space into a thriving neighborhood park, was overseeing the bonfire. She said the city brought in a Christmas tree, cleared away dead leaves, and otherwise neatened the park for the event. Her organization, C-PEN, provided tents, tables, and graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey’s bars for the s’mores. “This is about collaboration,” she said, as the aroma of woodsmoke wafted through the chill December air. “Country boy now in the city,” said a man adding kindling to the bonfire. Near the Christmas tree in the center of the park stood Rev. John Cotten, pastor of New Reach Missionary Baptist Church alongside Rev. John Lewis, senior pastor of Christ New Testament Church. The two are among the clergy that have signed on in support of the renewed effort by CSDC to include churches in their outreach. “In the times we’re living in, there’s hopelessness all around,” Cotten said, as a few more neighbors joined the roughly 35 in attendance. “Whenever we can come together and bring joy, create a way to meet each other and greet each other with warmth in the cold, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. Stefon Hawkins, Marissa Kendrick, and Breyonne Walston of the New Newhallville Community Choir At that moment, State Rep. Steve Winter appeared with his Australian cattle dog Filbert. “This is making great use of public space that the community and Miss Doreen have put so much time and effort into beautifying,” he said, his breath showing in the cold air. He added that the tree lighting signaled another example of positive change in the neighborhood. “There’s not really any regular trick-or-treating in Newhallville, and then in the last two years somebody’s organized trunk-or-treat parties,” he said. “People hear about it, they participate in it, and they know the next year that’s an option.” 13Mumbaa (Namumba Santos) dance party at Newhallville Tree Lighting After Sykes and the rest of the board introduced themselves, Namumba Santos, better known as 13Mumbaa, took the stage with his blend of African, native, and American influences, leading the crowd in a call-and-response, his lively rhythms and dancing prompting a group of youngsters to join in the fun.   Then came the Newhallville Community Choir, with “Professor” Stefon Hawkins, Marissa Kendrick, and Breyonne Walston performing a rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” “It’s when we come together that we can find light in the darkness, that we can truly make a difference,” said Pastor Lewis, as he stood near the twinkling Christmas tree lights, the choir’s pitch-perfect tones rising above the roar of a generator and into the night. The post Tree Lighting Brightens Newhallville appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less