It’s up and shining!
This year’s community Christmas tree in our Garden Park on Arnett Boulevard was donated and brought back from Steuben County on December 2, set up by an enthusiastic group of neighborhood volunteers and local Firemen the next day, and decorated from top to bottom the following Monday by classrooms of local elementary school students.
Teachers from School #29 had been preparing for the day by getting parental permission for a neighborhood field trip on December 5, having their students make personal ornaments as art craft projects, and then bringing them down to the Park in groups where they met Santa and installed their ornaments on the tree with help from neighbors and very friendly firemen.
Next door, the Arnett Branch Library was waiting with readers in various locations inside all prepared to read age-appropriate stories to the students while they warmed up. A delightful time was had by all! Click here to open a giant PDF of the event made by Bruce Tehan, head librarian.
Now it’s your turn to visit!
Drive by anytime to see the tree all lit up and decorated. Stop into the Library to admire what a wonderful community resource we have right here in the neighborhood. And then set aside the date, Thursday December 15, and join us for community caroling around the tree from 6-7 pm. We’ll have a bright bonfire going to roast marshmallows on, warm refreshments to share, and a time of celebrating all that’s good in our neighborhood. Hope to see you soon!
Special Caroling Report!
The Arnett Block Club held its annual caroling event on Wednesday, Dec 21 from 6 to 7 pm in the “pocket park” at the corner of Arnett and Wellington. We gathered around the Christmas tree that has been decorated with ornaments handmade by School 29 students. (The ornaments are worth a look, so take a walk, and admire them!)
The park was lit by both the lights on the tree and the bonfire. Snow crunched underfoot. Neighborhood children roasted marshmallows, made s’mores, and had hot cocoa. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to stop by and sing with us. One neighbor spoke for us all when she said, “The caroling and gathering of children and parents is what ignites the spirit in me at this time of year.”
Thanks to Susan Morehouse for organizing this event. And to the Christmas Tree farmer who grew the tree. As Susan was buying the tree, she was telling him about our neighborhood and where the tree was going to placed. She told him she would send him a photo of the caroling event. Susan was writing her check when he stopped her, and said, “Tear that up. I want to donate the tree.”
MaryDan Cooper
