Justin Medve
Special to the Beaver
Tamworth’s first holiday event of the year may not have been as elaborate as another big, bright show, but the close-knit community members who went would attest that just as much care went into putting it together.
Friends old and new were invited to the Tamworth Library to sing Christmas classics, chat over refreshments and admire a colorful holiday light display on Saturday.
Carolling just outside the library started the evening off, with a full set of “Silent Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Away In A Manger” sung by all.
“Everybody joins in and it’s great fun,” organizer Lorraine Prue told the Beaver.
Carollers then excitedly counted down to the library’s garden and nearby trees getting their holiday glow.
“They put a smile on everybody’s face,” Prue said. “The children love it and we find that the adults really love it too.”
Later on inside, musician Bobby Jacobs led the crowd with acoustic versions of “Silver Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” Between songs, he joked that he should be the one applauding his audience for singing every line.
Maureen Gaffney (left) and Nancy Richmond-Wood lead carolers at Saturday’s tree lighting celebration at the Tamworth Library. Justin Medve photo.
Prue said that she, the Tamworth-Erinsville Community Development Committee and a handful of other dedicated volunteers have made the event possible for almost a decade.
Prue says that of the few dozen who usually attend the event, most are repeat visitors.
“You need to come the first time to find out what it’s all about,” Prue said.
Homemade cookies, chocolate truffles, hot chocolate and apple cider are definitely a draw of the event, but longtime Tamworth resident Jane Kearns said just knowing someone is putting in effort makes it a worthwhile visit for her and her husband Dennis.
“It’s just a joy to come into the community and see people working together – and that’s what a community is: people all working together,” Kearns said.
Another resident, Emily Fowler said she and her husband Alex are thankful to be able to bring their son Levi out to a familiar group.
“It’s important to bring everyone together, especially at this time of year,” Fowler said.
Tamworth is also hosting a Village Christmas Craft Fair at 10 a.m. Dec 2, followed by its Santa Claus parade at 1 p.m. the same day. Prue says plenty of floats and artisans have signed up for each.
The Tamworth and District Lions Club will also be accepting non-perishable food items on-site.
Wreaths and flower boxes are set to decorate the streets until then.