HOLLY POND – On a chilly Saturday afternoon, the Holly Pond Civitan Club put on its Christmas parade with the help of local officials and churches, the Holly Pond and Berlin fire departments, local businesses and organizations and the Holly Pond High School band. Mayor Bill Oliver served as grand marshal.
More than 20 entries took part. In addition to those listed above, participants included horse riders and ponies, Dye Service, Pooh's Corner, Holly Pond Lions Club, Stewart Auto, Smith's Body Shop, Holly Pond United Methodist Church, Successful Festival Party Supplies, Holly Pond Homemakers' Club, Spa Paws and of course Santa Claus!
Civitan member Kay Stewart was in charge of the parade. She said this was the third year for the Civitans, who took over from the merchants' association. She had been apprehensive about the winter weather, but felt that the day was perfect for a Christmas parade.
"I'm so glad it's been a pretty day," she said. "We're so happy; it's been so gorgeous. This is the best we've had in a very long time."
Stewart sees the parade as one of many acts of community service she has the opportunity to perform as a Civitan.
She stated, "The Civitans donate their time and money to help the community. That's our main thing: to help the community, anybody that needs anything."
The parade began at Lions Club Park, proceeded past the elementary school, and finished behind the high school, from where many people went across the street to Governor’s Park for the community's Christmas Cards in the Park event.
HOLLY POND – Following the festivities of their annual Christmas parade, Holly Pond residents gathered in Governor’s Park to enjoy the Christmas Cards in the Park celebration. The night officially began with a small concert by the Holly Pond Elementary School choir. Led by Melissa Roberts, the choir entertained onlookers with performances of "Deck the Halls," "12 Days of Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." When the songs were finished, the crowd dispersed to enjoy the beautiful decorations, enjoy refreshments and mingle with neighbors and friends.
Some of the more prominent decorations in the park were the large Christmas cards along the far side of the walking track (hence the name "Cards in the Park"), which were all provided by local businesses, churches, clubs and other organizations. The park was also decked out in strings of lights that reflected off the pond's surface and colorful lights depicting scenes of carolers and boat rides, and all around the track sat luminaries in memory of loved ones.
Sponsors of the event did their best to ensure that the cold weather wouldn't take away from the festive holiday spirit by setting up "warming stations" around the track and providing refreshments in the basement of town hall. Temperatures in the 30s and low 40s were combatted with complimentary hot chocolate and cozy fire pits, and the assortment of sweets provided by the Holly Pond Civitans and Homemakers kept the merry mood alive. There were cupcakes, donuts, a variety of homemade treats and enough cookies to keep Santa himself satisfied for the next year.
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