The Christmas spirit was enhanced with unusually mild weather when the third annual Christmas in Cardington was observed Thursday, December 10.
It was estimated there were over 1,000 people touring the village, a figure confirmed with a counter at the Cardington-Lincoln Public Library where 1,199 people were counted as they visited there. Lisa Murray, the library’s director, said local authors Mindy McGinnis and Tim Maceyko, autographed their recent book publications, “Madness So Discreet,” and “Seth’s Snuggle Time Game,” respectively. Art from the C-LHS students was exhibited by the art teacher, Colton Bowers.
Winners in the house decorating contest were Ron Choina’s West Main Street residence, first place and a $100 prize; Sean Lorimer’s Nichols Street home and Aric Pine’s Park Street residence tied for second place with a $50 prize and third place winner was Bobbi Harruff, West Main Street.
Youngsters also made little cabins from popsicle sticks and the C-LHS cheerleaders assisted.
A coloring contest held at the Carsner Home and Auto Store resulted in the following winners: Anika Gandee, pre school; Ashton Schoy, kindergarten; Gabby Ratliff, first grade; Landon Levering, second grade; Cameron Sherman, third grade and Alexis Peters, fourth grade.
All business places contributed raffle baskets. Members of the Gleaners gave 525 small bags and 80 large bags of popcorn at the Cardington Market before exhausting their supplies.
The Friends of Cardington, who organize the event, sold 300 bowls of soup at the American Legion Post 97 home. Visitors also viewed at the post home, the beautiful Christmas village created by Renee Beatty.
Doug Brown, skate board champion, was present for autographs.
Ramone attracted a crowd as he sculpted ice figures at the shelter house in the Cardington Community Park where the shelter house has updated lighting. A big thanks to Cardington Yatuka Technologies, Inc. for contributing to more lighting in the park.
Opening the tree lighting ceremony were the White Lily Chapel Singers
Pastor Steven Dennis, pastor of St Paul Lutheran Church, read the Christmas story and the Nativity Scene portrayers proceeded to their positions on the corner of Second and Park Street, following the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Jennifer Emberg led the Morrow County Band and Choir and Doris Mosher of Marengo, provided horse drawn wagon rides around the village.
Lori Cardiff read to youngsters from the log cabin in the park.
Santa Claus, aka Bob Merman, was seated at the Cardington Fire House where more than 250 youngsters shared what they wanted for Christmas. The youngsters were given a candy cane and a miniature Frisbie courtesy of the fire department.
Those who did not receive a 2015 ornament can find them on sale at the Cardington Market.
The committee thanks all who participated, contributed and/or visited the village on this special day.
The committee will sponsor the Cardington Street Fair on June 25, 2016 and the 2016 “Christmas in Cardington” on December 9.
Evelyn Long is a correspondent with the Morrow County Sentinel and can be reached at [email protected].
