By Donna Frischknecht and Krystle S. Morey
Prep sled. Check. Get reindeer in shape. Check. Pack thermos of hot cocoa. Check.
Find good little boys and girls to help light up Granville for the holidays. No problem.
Santa’s Helpers
All Santa had to do was call upon the teachers at Mary J. Tanner School and ask for a list of second and third graders who have displayed exemplary manners and behavior.
This was not an easy task, though, as principal Keith LaLone said many of children embody the school’s motto, “be safe, be kind and be responsible.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Rick Roberts, Granville village clerk, accompanied by “Frozen” character, Princess Anna (aka Roberts’ daughter, Jessica Roberts), stopped by the school to congratulate the children chosen to be Santa’s helpers.
From the second grade Chase Robinson, Emma Torres, Leif Lamothegee and Riley Dunster were chosen; third grade helpers were Savannah Ball, Riley Gravelle and Hampton Sears.
Gravelle, among his good behavior, once searched all over the park to help a friend find his lost Lego pieces.
After telling the children about the private dinner of hot cocoa and chicken wings they would be having with Santa prior to the tree-lighting, Roberts told them what their responsibilities would be.
Ooo’s and ah’s and a few wow’s were the reaction upon hearing riding on the float and tossing packets of candy out to those lined up on the parade route.
That wasn’t all. There was one last item of business.
Roberts explained one child needed to help Santa light the more than 25,000 lights decorating the park. Sheets of paper with numbers on them were handed to the children. A squeal of joy came from Riley Dunster when she realized she held the winning number in her hand.
Parade
A holiday parade will kick off the “Frozen in Granville” celebration Friday. The parade will step off at 6 p.m. at the Great Meadow Federal Credit Union, the title sponsor of the event, on East Main Street. It will proceed down Main Street to the park where there will be a tree-lighting ceremony and various vendors including the Boy Scouts, American Legion, VFW, Dunkin’ Donuts and GMFCU. Each will have treats and goodies to give away.
There is no cost for any hot cocoa, s’mores, cookies, glow sticks and more that will be served at the park. Admission to the tree lighting event is also free.
Santa’s helpers will join Santa and local fire and EMS officials in the parade procession to the park. Dunster, Santa’s second-grade helper, will ride to the park in Santa’s carriage with him.
Upon arriving at the park, Dunster will help Elsa and Olaf, characters from the movie Frozen, give the command to light up the park.
The park is scheduled to be illuminated at about 6:20 p.m.
The tree-lighting coincides with the village’s First Friday events.
First Friday
The Pember Library and Museum will host its annual Holiday Bazaar this weekend, while the Slate Valley Museum will present its annual Festival of Trees.
The bazaar event will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be well-crafted items from individual artisans, including pottery, glass, textiles, jewelry, wearable art, prints, and all types of artwork and gift items. Some tables are still available, and interested vendors should call the Library at 518-642-2525.
“It’s the perfect place and time for your holiday shopping,” said organizer Rob McGuire.
The first day of the bazaar is First Friday, when the Pember will have wreaths from its third annual Festival of wreaths available for purchase, along with the engaging sound of Moose Crossing, Poultney’s highly sought-after jazz band. Zak Hampton will officiate on sax, Tim Duch on piano and Joe Plotts on bass.
First Friday also coincides with the tree-lighting in Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Granville, where visits with Santa are being scheduled.
That same night, the Slate Valley Museum is excited to present its annual Festival of Trees. A wide variety of beautiful trees with various themes will fill the museum for a good cause. The opening event for the Festival of Trees is also on Dec. 2.
The 5th annual Slate Valley Festival of Trees, which is held in conjunction with First Friday, is a community-driven holiday celebration that engages people from all walks of life in a vibrant cultural setting.
The opening celebration will take place on Friday from 4-9 p.m. with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus from 4 to 4:45 p.m. The museum is a good place to stop by to enjoy some cookies and hot chocolate, and to make a fun slate craft before heading to the park.
“I’m excited to see the museum filled with holiday joy and to see the community’s spirit and warmth on display,” said Krista Rupe, executive director of Slate Valley Museum.
The museum has gathered donations of hand-made and brand-new hats, mittens, and scarves to give to children and seniors for its Mitten Tree. The items will be handed out on Dec. 2 at the opening event. The museum will also be running a food drive during the tree festival and encourages people to bring a non-perishable to the museum this holiday season.
“The Festival of Trees is such an exciting project,” said Molly Biggs Celani, present of the museum’s board. “The Village Lighting of the Trees in Veterans Park is an awesome event bringing hundreds of people into the Village. Our display of brilliantly and creatively decorated trees provides a unique opportunity for visitor.
The Festival of Trees exhibit will remain open to the public through Saturday, Dec. 10, during regular business hours: from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The museum is not open Sunday or Monday.
More details can be found by going to the museum’s website (slatevalleymuseum.org) or by calling 518-642-1417.