by Kevin Dicciani

The Chestnut Hill Community Association's board heard reports on recent events at its Oct. 23 meeting.

Laura Lucas, CHCA vice president for operations, said the Black & White Gala was a pleasing success and thanked the board, the community and the VIPs for their effort and involvement. She said the gala opened up opportunities within the community and helped form long-lasting relationships that will benefit Chestnut Hill in the near future.

“It was a chance for us to really showcase the CHCA and some of the new things that we're trying to get across to the community,” Lucas said.

Lucas also thanked Chestnut Hill and its residents for coming out to the Harry Potter Festival. She said the festival turned out to be a great success, with 42 readers taking the time to read the first book in the series for the first annual Harry Potter Read-a-thon.

“It was a great chance for us to be a part of such a high-impact weekend,” Lucas said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Lucas said the operations division is in the process of finalizing the details of the Holiday House Tour, which is scheduled for Dec. 6. She announced that the CHCA is partnering with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices to use some of their homes for the tour, saying that everyone involved is “expecting big things.”

Chris Padova, vice president for the social division, announced that The Circle of Trees, an annual tree lighting ceremony, is scheduled for Nov. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event, which was formerly held at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church, will be held this year at Woodmere Art Museum. A time-honored tradition in Chestnut Hill for adults and children alike, the Circle of Trees features live music, a mummers group, hot chocolate, cookies and an array of other activities.

On Dec. 13, at 9 a.m., Chestnut Hill will be treated to the Holiday Parade. There will be marching bands, fire trucks and other surprises along the avenue. Board member Brian Tilley, who is heading the parade, asked for Chestnut Hill to be “ready to march.”

“Re-Tree the Avenue”

Larry McEwen, vice president of the physical division, presented an updated report about the “Re-Tree the Avenue” program.

Initially, the plan was to plant about 50 trees along Germantown Ave., but McEwen said they are going to expand the program and plant trees down Bethlehem Pike. The number of trees will be expanded as well, bringing the total amount to 78 trees, including 12 different species. McEwen said $4,000 had been raised thus far for the project. The project is expected to begin sometime in late November.

For more information on how and where to donate, visit chestnuthill.org.