A full moon and a dodged snowstorm helped make this years’ Marion Stroll a hugh success, according to organizers Paula and Eric Strand. “We dodged a bullet with the weather prediction,” said Paula Strand, “and here we are with a beautiful afternoon and a full moon rising.”
This year marked the nineteenth year of the stroll, started by Marion General Store owner Jack Cheney and his late wife, Betty. As a team, the Marion General Store owners began an annual Christmas tradition that is looked forward to by many, both local and from afar.
“Jack Cheney is the grandfather of the stroll and if it weren’t for he and Betty’s vision, we wouldn’t be here talking this afternoon,” said co-organizer Paula Stand.
All the local village businesses were open to serve free hot cocoa, roasted chestnuts, candy, lollypops, popcorn, chowder, eggnog, pumpkin spiced lattes, wassail, hotdogs, cookies and other food and drink for those strolling around Front Street, Main Street and Cottage Street, in the square that makes up the stroll quarter. This year, Anthi, up on Spring Street joined in on the fun and also had an open house with refreshments.
The First Congregational Church of Marion held a live nativity scene and also had the church open to the public. The church is soon to be honored by being approved on the National Registry of Historical Properties. It will be only one of three properties in Marion on the registry. Handy’s Tavern, owned by the Sippican Women’s Club was also open for viewing. This year’s theme was an ‘old fashioned Christmas’ which included simple decorations including a wicker doll carriage, wooden toys, fruit decorations and basic necessities, harkening back to the days of old.
The Marion Music Hall was open and had plenty of family entertainment and a photo-booth where families and friends could have four photos taken, just like on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in the old days. The booth was very popular with lots of young and old squeezing in for group photos, harkening back to the days of phone booth squeeze-ins, only in this case, for photos.
A team of Clydesdale horses pulled carriages full of families and friends around the block. Later, as the evening and darkness came, an aura of the olden days was seen when the wide breath of the horses was vividly seen in the aura of the street lights as they pulled the carriage down Main Street, as witnessed by this writer. It harkened back to the many days of old, before the invention of the automobile.
The clip-clop and the beauty of these animals and what they left behind on the street was a reminder of times gone by, but which were a true and real part of the town in the past.
The stroll included a petting zoo with a goat, chickens, rabbits and other critters which the younger crowd enjoyed petting. Santa came in by boat nearby at the wharf and headed up to Bicentennial Park where a comfy chair with a sack of candy-canes and surprises awaited. The line stretched along Spring Street with youngsters anxious to meet Santa patiently waited.
“I come every year, from Newport, Rhode Island to visit with my friends Ray and Wendy Cullem,” said Marion ‘Patsy’ Robertson as she enjoyed some popcorn while leaning against the high stone foundation of the Handy’s Tavern, home to the Sippican Women’s Club. “We moved here in 1998 and have come to the stroll every year, and bring friends,” said Wendy Cullem. “Even the streets smell wonderful, with popcorn and chestnuts,” said Ray Cullem.
Burt Corkim, of Spirits, said that this year’s stroll had a great turnout. “We estimate two cases of eggnog,” and “we are right there this year, so a great turnout.” Corkum said that he participated in the first Stroll 19 years ago and invited his friends, Jon and Michelle Pope a year later. “This is their 18th year,” said Corkum, “we became friends and family.” The Pope’s own Uncle Jon’s Coffee and host free lattes at the Stroll in Corkum’s store on Spring Street.
The crowds swelled at the stroll which was held from 3 to 6 p.m. The crowd thinned out just before 5:45 pm and headed up to Bicentennial Park for the annual tree lighting at 6 pm. Marion Department of Public Works employees were busy with tending fires where residents and visitors could toast marshmallows on sticks and drink hot cocoa.
It was a special moment because this was a new Christmas tree, planted this past June. It was dug up from local Marion resident Susannah Davis’ parents yard.
“I was working the Arbor Day seedling give away many years ago and we had some left over, which I gave to my parents on Converse Road. They planted them, and here she is,” said Davis. Davis’ parents were Natalie and Raymond Davis, well loved town residents. “I look at it as a legacy from my parents to the town,” said Davis.
“I wanted to do something and decided that this tree would be great because it is a slow growing, salt tolerant, disease resistant evergreen with soft needles. If a child ran into it at the tree lighting, it is soft to the touch,” explained Davis. The tree is a concolor fir, a type of white fir.
Davis was pleased to attend the first tree lighting of the donated tree, which was decorated with white lights. “It’s so beautiful, home grown, raised and lovingly cared for,” said Davis.
Co-Coordinators Eric and Paula Strand agreed that “we want to thank the Marion Department of Public Works, Marion Fire Department and the Police Department for their great help in holding this annual event.” “We love Marion and love the season and for living in this town,” said Paula Strand.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry
