Milton set to celebrate the season

By Ally Turk
Posted 12/4/19

The annual holiday open house and tree lighting, hosted by the Sarah Hull Hallock library and the Hamlet of Milton Association, respectively, is kicking off the holiday season on Sunday, Dec. 8, from …

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Milton set to celebrate the season

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The annual holiday open house and tree lighting, hosted by the Sarah Hull Hallock library and the Hamlet of Milton Association, respectively, is kicking off the holiday season on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Hamlet of Milton Association was started in 2013 by Vivian Lanzarone of Vivian Photography, Stephanie Calabrese of the Studio at Stephanie’s and CJ Hartwell-Kelly of Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa when discussing what could be done to clean up the Hamlet. Soon after, the first tree trimming took place in 2013.

The Hamlet of Milton Association puts on three events throughout the year, the tree trimming, spring fling fundraiser, and the pot planting party.

“We plant flowers, seasonal decor and do cleanup throughout the hamlet all year round,” Hartwell-Kelly said. “The heart and soul of the organization is to beautify the Hamlet and take pride in our community. That’s all.”

The event has grown throughout the seven years it has been put on. At first, it consisted of a few businesses getting together to decorate the tree in Hamlet. Now you can expect to see a live DJ, a visit from Santa with transportation provided by the Milton Fire Department and food, snacks, desserts and drinks donated by local businesses.

The association doesn’t only focus on decorating the tree, however, they also decorate up and down Main Street. They expect 80-100 to attend since it’s the association’s biggest event of the year.

As for where the event takes place, the actual tree trimming takes place on a plot of land donated by Robert Pollock, the owner of Buttermilk Falls and Frida’s Bakery & Cafe. The library open house and tree decorating takes place right outside of the Sarah Hull Hallock library.

“The library has decorated the tree outside the library as an annual activity for over two decades,” Lois Heiser Skelly said. “In fact, our 30-something patrons can still remember making pine cone decorations to trim the evergreen tree.”

The open house at the library will consist of kids’ activities, a live magic show hosted by Mrs. Claus, and a raffle.

“We have carried on the tradition of having craft activities for children and plenty of delicious refreshments,” Heiser Skelly said. “We have picked crafts that are easy enough for our youngest patrons, but also appealing to adults.”

Last year, 120 people visited the library during the open house. Main Street is usually the venue for the holiday festivities, and the library’s indoor party becomes the cornerstone, according to Heiser Skelly.

“I enjoy the friendly community spirit of the entire event, which is the holiday spirit. It really launches the holiday season for me,” Heiser Skelly said. “I would say that I most like seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, and in reality the adults are just big kids, too!”