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Pineville Mayor Scott Madon joins the Ely Sisiters: Mary Margaret Stacy, Kate Hendrickson and Phyllis Biliter as they flip the switch to turn on the Christmas Tree and Star in Pineville following Sunday evening’s service. (Photos by Jay Compton)

Madon presented Mary Margaret Stacy, Kate Hendrickson and Phyllis Biliter with special framed prints of the lighted tree. They were joined by several family members following Sunday’s lighting of the star and tree.

Madon introduces Rev. Jerry Combs on the Bell Theater stage for the opening prayer of Sunday’s service.

Jill Ramey performs the song “Noel” during Sunday’s Lighting of the Star service.

Ella Caruso, the great-granddaughter of Irene Adams, reads Adams’ poem “Our Star.”

Jack Gaines of St. Anthony Catholic Church reads Isaiah 7-13-15 & 9:7-9

Sean Turner from Ferndale Pentecostal reads John 4:9-10 and Luke 1:26-33.

Brian Robbins plays an instrumental solo during Sunday's Lighting of the Star service.

T.R. Christopher from Faith Temple Church reads Luke 2:1-20

Corey Smallwood from West Pineville Baptist Church reads Matthew 2:1-20.

Jerry Combs from Pineville's First Christian Church gave the opening and closing prayer at Sunday's service.

Mayor Scott Madon with the Ely Sisters following Sunday's Lighting of the Star and Christmas Trree.

The lit Christmas Tree in front of the Bell County Courthouse.

The City of Pineville held the 54th annual Lighting of the Star service and Christmas Tree lighting on Sunday evening at the Bell Theater.

“This tradition was started many years ago by Irene Adams. She wrote that poem and had the idea of putting a big start up on the mountain and we’ve continued ever since then,” Pineville Mayor Scott Madon said.  “It’s a tradition that’s been going on here for 54 years. That’s what I love about Pineville, we’re very traditional. I hear a lot of people say we’re like a Hallmark movie and maybe once we get downtown finished we can host one of those movies here in Pineville.”

After Madon opened the program by welcoming everyone into the theater, Jerry Combs of Pineville’s First Christian Church gave an opening prayer. The service continued with music and the sections of the Christmas story being read.

Jill Ramey from Community Harvest Tabernacle sang “Noel.” Jack Goins from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church read Isaiah 7:13-15 and 9:7-9. Sean Turner from Ferndale Pentecostal read John 4:9-10 and Luke 1:26-33. Brian Robbins performed a piano solo and T.R. Christopher from Faith Temple read Luke 2:1-20. Ella Caruso, the great-granddaughter of Irene Adams, read Adams’ poem “Our Star.” Corey Smallwood from West Pineville Baptist read Matthew 2:1-11.

Following a closing prayer from Combs, Robbins played “Joy to the World” as everyone sang while exiting the theater to see the star and Christmas tree light up.

Having the honor of flipping the switch this year were the Ely Sisters: Phyllis Ely Biliter, Kate Ely Hendrickson and Mary Margaret Ely Stacy.

“We started a little tradition a few years ago of choosing someone to light the star and the Christmas tree out on the square. I struggle every year trying to decide who to pick, I try to think of people who have been very involved in the Pineville community and also people who are special to me,” Madon said. “This year I had someone in mind but I couldn’t pick one without picking the other two. They’re three special ladies and I’m going to refer to them as the Ely Sisters — that’s Kate Hendrickson, Phyllis Biliter and Mary Margaret Stacy.”

Madon then  presented each of the sisters with a framed print of the lighted tree.

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