LETTER: Holiday Cheer Trumps Grand Illumination Chill

GRAND ILLUMINATIONChris Glennon shot this photo of the Gazebo with just the right touch of ice on the 'sicles.

GRAND ILLUMINATION — Chris Glennon shot this photo of the Gazebo with just the right touch of ice on the ‘cicles.

December 9, 2013

DEAR EDITOR,

Citizens for Central Park would like to thank all the people who braved the cold wind on Saturday evening to attend the Grand Illumination of Central Park! It was the culminating event in a day filled with holiday cheer!

There are so many different people and groups who had a hand in making the day a success. Many thanks to the numerous volunteers who worked all day to get the luminaries prepared and ready for the event. Special thanks go to the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce and Jim Weiner for their invaluable assistance, Jeb Brady for the use of his trailer, and Wako Chemicals for allowing us to use their space to prepare and store the luminaries.

Thanks also go to the Town staff who kindly worked with us to decorate the park for the holiday season and to many citizens such as Ned Brinkley, Heather Gladden, Zach Hunter, and others who helped us keep the luminaries lit in the windy weather. We are also very grateful to the Cape Charles Business Association for providing hot cocoa for guests, the children from Cape Charles Christian School for their joyful song, and Angie Pheiffer for transporting Santa and Mrs. Claus from their sleigh to the Park to greet the children.

We hope you had the opportunity to visit the Cape Charles Museum’ s antique toy display, Santa’s House at the Cape Charles Christian School, the boat tours and the lighted boat parade sponsored by the Cape Charles Yacht Club, and the lighted golf cart parade organized by Sandy Mayer. We appreciate the willingness of all of these groups to work together to create a magical day in our beloved town.

I do hope the Cape Charles Community Band will accept my apologies for the shortening of their concert in Central Park. As you may be able to imagine, coordinating the flow of events from one venue to another can be difficult. It was out of concern for our littlest guests that we moved the Grand Illumination ceremony along more quickly than planned. The wind was cold and we wanted to be sure that the children had the opportunity to visit with Santa.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

Please do not blame the “blue-jeaned master of ceremonies” for the shortening of the band performance. It was my fault (the woman in the black jeans and the black coat), and my fault alone, that the band did not get to play their entire program. Citizens for Central Park sincerely appreciates the work and effort put forth by members of the Cape Charles Community Band. In fact, we have spent many days out in the summer sun selling margaritas so that we could donate more than $2,000 to help the band obtain music and needed supplies.

I do hope that everyone will be able to attend the “Holly Jolly Christmas” performance of the Cape Charles Community Band on Sunday, December 15, at 3 p.m. Hopefully you will be able to hear their entire program in the warmth of the Historic Palace Theatre.

To be honest, the Grand Illumination is not really about lights, trees, Santa, or music — it is about taking the time to come together as a community, to appreciate what we have, and to celebrate all that is kind and good in each other. Thank you all for making Cape Charles a wonderful place to live, to grow, and to enjoy.

NANCY DANIEL VEST
Cape Charles

Letters to the Editor are welcome, and a diversity of opinions is encouraged. Send submissions to [email protected].

Share

Comments

3 Responses to “LETTER: Holiday Cheer Trumps Grand Illumination Chill”

  1. Antonio Sacco on December 8th, 2013 11:50 pm

    I take this opportunity to apologize for my stupid remarks I made about the Master of Ceremonies. Chalk it up to a cranky old, old man.

  2. Bill Neville on December 11th, 2013 8:23 am

    “You Done Good Nancy.” Thanks for all that you and Butch do. You two are a most excellent addition to Cape Charles.

  3. Susan Bauer on December 16th, 2013 9:23 pm

    Mr. Sacco, you are clearly not a cranky old man. You have the strength of character to admit a mistake and extend an apology when one is warranted. How refreshing in this town where people are inclined to hurl insults at one another apparently without remorse or a second thought.