It's a shame the owner of this Butler home did not enter our Deck the House contest. This larger-than-life white deer decoration can be spotted on a lawn in a culdesac between Hamburg Turnpike and Decker Road.

Butler resident Karen Becker showed her holiday pride and represented the tri-boro as the only local contestant in the Patch Deck the House contest. While Becker did not become a finalist for her entry, she was rewarded with some Patch schwag.

Have I said that the winter-holiday season is among my favorite times of the year? It's true: It's amazing how much joy comes from seeing twinkling lights on a tree, from hearing Christmas carols sung by a passionate chorale, from feeling the warmth that emanates from a nearby menorah, from experiencing the wonder of what happened in a Bethlehem stable 2000-odd years ago. And of course there is the glow on children's faces—there is nothing like the feeling that comes with the sight of a kid anticipating a visit from Santa or running through a field covered in wintry white or gorging himself …

One would think, having so many places to visit around the world, the tri-boro would not stick out in Santa Claus' mind. But as we learned from him in an exclusive interview, Santa has a special place in his heart for Kinnelon, Butler and Bloomingdale kids and said the tri-boro is one of his favorite places to visit. Tri-Boro Patch caught up with jolly old Saint Nick this week to talk about how the reindeer have been preparing for Saturday night, what Mrs. Claus has been up to and why he is excited to visit our area. Q: Are you ready for Christmas?A: Santa's very ready. The elves have been …

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through ButlerResidents shut off their holiday lights in an effort to be subtler Than their neighbors who boasted bright lights that would frighten a mouse,But those neighbors were smart, they entered Patch's Deck the House. In Kinnelon, young children and their parents baked cookies.Meanwhile teenagers flipped on MTV and watched Snooki. Bloomindale kids stayed up late and waited for Santa,Their parents talking about local politics, but they ignored the banter. But when the kids went to sleep, all their parents went on Tri-Boro PatchTo catch up with …

Students in the Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon School celebrated Hanukkah by watching Rabbi Helaine Ettinger light the menorah Wednesday night and singing prayers and Hanukkah songs. After the menorah was lit, the school Principal Beth "Batyah" Hancock interviewed Pearl R. Miller School Principal John Hynes, who Hancock called the school's "Mitzvah hero of the month," about bullying in the schools and what PRM has done to prevent it.

The Butler Fire Department brought Santa Claus to six-year-old Dominc Daniele's home, in Butler, Wednesday night for a special visit. While Daniele was visiting with Santa in the firetruck, elves in firefighter uniforms snuck bags of presents into his home to be re-delivered by Santa on Christmas morning. Toys were all donated or purchased through donations. If you'd like Santa to pay your family a visit in Butler, contact the Butler Police Department.

The following is a letter that was sent out by the Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon (JCK) School Principal Beth (a.k.a. Batyah) Hancock to parents. Many of your children and some of you have reached out to me concerning the "December Dilemma." While so many of us have the benefit of creating our own traditions because we have family members in our homes of different faiths, many Jewish families are not sure how to make Hanukkah "festive." Here are just a few ideas to "shed light" on the great opportunity Hanukkah gives us to teach our children about pride and religious freedom: Host a …

Santa Claus can be pretty busy this time of year, but not too busy to answer the letters of Butler children. Kids had the opportunity to write their favorite man in red letters over the past several weeks and drop them off at the Butler Public Library. Santa Claus even answers their letters. "They get an individual letter from Santa Claus sent to their home address," said children's librarian Arlene Walk. Writing on behalf of Santa is Butler Recreation Department Secretary Judy Fields, who has been running the Santa letter program for the past 30 years. This year, Fields said the library …

With all the things going on in these three towns, I rarely find the time to actually cook a meal myself. But with Tuesday being the first night of Hanukkah, I truly wanted to make an effort with my meal. First, I invited friends and family over. Then, I created a menu-crockpot chili and sweet potato latkes. Finally, I figured out a tight schedule that would allow me to eat the meal, exchange gifts and play one quick game of dreidel before having to scoot over to my Butler Council meeting. I have to say, things went perfectly according to plan-except one thing. I forgot dessert! Several years…

The Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon (JCK) on Friday held its annual Hanukkah event, "Latkerama," at the Kiel Avenue Firehouse.   More than 100 people ate the traditional potato pancakes called latkes, enjoyed homemade donuts and chocolate coins, all traditional Chanukah foods, and dinner. This year, JCK held a basket raffle as well. Friends gathered for live music, games, crafts and the company of the community. The event grows in scope and attendance each year. For further information about Latkerama or the JCK, call 973-838-5566.

On Thursday, St. Anthony of Padua School held its annual Christmas Concert.  The students practiced very hard under the direction of Eric Goletz, their music teacher, and it showed.  It was a joyful concert as it provided many opportunities for all students to demonstrate their faith through song and dance. From the kindergarten students who, in the spirit of St. Francis, re-enacted the Nativity, to the various vocal and instrumental solos performed by select students, to the grand finale, "Feliz Navidad," dedicated to Senor Rene Ruiz, their Spanish teacher who is retiring this month, a good …

Bloomingdale students sang and performed holiday classics during a holiday concert at the Walter T. Bergen School Wednesday. Walter T. Bergen School students in the concert and cadet bands performed and 40 students from the Samuel R. Donald School fourth grade chorus sang. The students were lead by band director Christine Lehman and chorus instructor Tiffany Chung. Lehman told the crowd that 40 percent of Walter T. Bergen's students participate in the school's music program. Upload photos of your kids participating in the holiday concert to our gallery.

Hearing a lot of "Ho, ho, ho" lately? That's probably because Santa Claus has made several special appearances in the tri-boro the past several weeks, from visiting the Butler Applebee's Toys for Tots Drive to riding on a firetruck in Kinnelon, helping light up Butler Park and participating in the Holiday Stroll in Bloomingdale. We know you and your kids have had their photos taken with the Christmas celebrity, and we want to see them. Upload your Santa photos to the gallery above.

Santa's helpers from the Kinnelon Volunteer Fire Co. helped collect toys as part of the U.S. Marine Corps. Toys for Tots drive in Kinnelon Saturday.

The Bloomingdale Policeman's Benevolent Association Local 354 is hoping to spread some holiday cheer to local residents in need by donating new, unwrapped toys and clothing from its annual Christmas Clothing and Toy Drive. "With the current economic times, Local 354 has come into contact with more than its share of residents who have found themselves experiencing very difficult times," the PBA said in a press release. The group is compiling a list of needs of the residents and asking for the community's help in contributing to a fund to purchase the items. The police are asking residents and …

More than 30 people braved the cold temperatures Saturday evening to stroll to Sloan Park for the annual tree lighting while singing carols along the route. The entourage included a police escort, firetrucks, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Leading the stroll were Bloomingdale councilwomen Linda Huntley, Linda Shortman and Jo-Ann Pituch. At Sloan Park, Santa lit the 4-story Christmas tree. After the ceremony, the strollers made their way to the Bloomingdale Methodist Church to hang out with Santa and have some hot chocolate and cookies. The famous Bloomingdale Cornet Band, formed in 1884 and the …

An evening of holiday music filled the auditorium of Butler High School when the bands from Richard Butler Middle School performed their Winter Concert Thursday.  "The program has gotten really big," said Band Director Lyn Casaleggio. "We have 130 students in the program, half the school," she added. The song list included classics like "Jingle Bells" and "The Little Drummer Boy" to "Baby It's Cold Outside."

Families gathered in their neighborhoods throughout northern and central New Jersey, including in Butler, on Dec. 3 at Applebee's "Breakfast with Santa" to help raise money for the U.S. Marine Corps.’ "Toys for Tots" drive. While Santa heard the wishes of every good girl and boy, $65,000 was raised at 39 New Jersey Applebee's to help make the dreams of hundreds of underprivileged children in local communities come true. In an effort to increase this year’s donation to "Toys for Tots" further, paper “gift packages” will remain on sale at all northern and central New Jersey Applebee’s now …

No need to go to Rockefeller Center to see a really big pine tree lit up with Christmas lights. Bloomingdale resident and Board of Education Member Tom Kroncke has one even bigger in his front yard on Walter Drive. Kroncke's 85-foot tree is nearly 10 feet taller than the well-known New York City tree and holds a much more personal meaning to him and his neighbors. The tree is named "Sally K" in honor of Kroncke's wife who died of cancer a few years ago. In honor of Sally, who first lit the tree up as a surprise for him nine years ago, Kroncke leaves the tree lit ever year from Dec. 1 through …