Northborough – Several hundred people gathered to watch the Northborough Tree Lighting the evening of Dec. 2. The annual tradition dates back to 1968, when the tree was planted in memory of Northborough resident Army PFC Neil Ellsworth, who was killed in Vietnam the previous year. Several members of the Ellsworth family were present for the tree lighting.
Allyn Phelps led a group of grade 2 to 5 students from the Marion E. Zeh School as they sang carols. Cookies and hot cocoa were served. Northboro House of Pizza provided free pizza and collected donations for a local food pantry.
The event was organized by the Northborough Community Affairs Committee.