Celebrating Small TOWN & country Life in New Jersey

Each Christmas Eve, a sign mysteriously appears at the Crossroads in Pottersville – “You’re Now In Bedford Falls,” and as Julie Snyder, who co-hosted this year’s annual “It’s a Wonderful Life” celebration noted, “for one day each year we get the distinct honor of living in Bedford Falls.” A nod to the “Pottersville” in Frank Capra’s classic holiday film starring Jimmy Stewart, the reference was the inspiration for the creation of a celebration in the village, honoring those who show a dedication to service in the community. 

“At the top of my list of what I love about our town, small in size, but big in heart, is the amazing people and great traditions that we have,” said Julie Snyder.  “A couple weeks ago, I began thinking if ever there was a year that we needed this award, it was 2020.”

So, together with co-host Lisa Stafford, the “It’s a Wonderful Life Celebration,” was reformatted for a safe, socially-distanced event held at the main hall of Life Camp, where a roaring blaze in the big fireplace welcomed a small gathering to honor Lorilee Debiasse and Renee Trambert, past presidents and members of the Pottersville Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary, who have a combined 30 years of community service between them. Together this “dynamic duo,” has helped raise thousands of dollars in support of the PVFC and have selflessly dedicated untold hours of service organizing and working tirelessly at fire company fundraisers, including the three-day annual Antique Show & Country dining event.

“Throughout the years, they have been a fixture of anything and everything Pottersville,” said Julie Snyder. “We are lucky to be the beneficiaries of their dedication and hard work.”

Recreating an iconic scene from the movie, Lisa Stafford presented them each with a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread – “bread, so you may never know hunger. Salt, that your life may always have flavor and wine, so that joy and prosperity will be with you forever.”

“I want to thank you. I love this community and I love being a part of it,” said Lorilee Debiasse. “It really is everything to me.”

Renee Trambert, an RN, MPH, CN-BN at Morristown Medical Center added, “I feel like with my patients and all the despair in the world, you do feel sad at times with what’s going on in the world. And all of you…you just made it all so worthwhile … This is such a bright spot in our lives, especially during this pandemic. What a beautiful gathering. Thank you one and all for coming. You’ve made my year!”

After the applause and hoots and hollers from loved ones and some of the special people in their lives subsided, Lisa Stafford ended the celebration as the movie itself ended, with a quote from Clarence, the angel “…No Man is a Failure Who Has Friends,” as the song “Auld Lang Syne” played in the background.