That’s because residents and visitors are met with Christmas cheer, twenty of them to be exact. The street is colourfully decorated with Christmas trees, a new initiative of the Regina Beach Centre Street Beautification Committee, chaired by Councilor Sandi Metz, who describes how the idea began. “There was a call to engage the community, with the goal of making improvements to our main street. Initially, this group of volunteers focused on the entrance to Regina Beach, and more volunteers joined the cause by weeding, planting and painting during the summer months. Their enthusiasm, however, has not stopped there, and the Home Town Christmas Tree competition has been their next initiative.”
It is a creative recycling project, whereby old artificial Christmas trees were donated, as were many of the decorations on display. The response has brought the community together. While volunteers from local businesses, and other organizations, gathered to place those decorations and make their tree shine, families and individuals stroll along the way to stop and visit, some carrying thermoses filled with hot chocolate. It’s become an event, with people posing for their cameras, in front of the trees, to remember the day that Christmas came to the Beach in a spectacular way.
Metz says this year marks the first of what’s likely to become an annual celebration of the season. “The community participation and support has been outstanding, and the trees are simply amazing. The committee hopes this great fun will become a tradition we can look forward to for years to come.”
It was a difficult task for the committee to judge this expression of joy. Still, Castles and Dreams Preschool took first place for its decorated tree, with the Regina Beach Fire Department taking honourable mention. The People’s Choice voting happens soon.
Metz says the main street has now become a must-see destination this Christmas because of the efforts of local volunteers. “Special thanks to committee members Lisa Gawley Betty Deck, Cathy Joyner, Brandi Hanoski, Barbara McAlese, Melissa Kobayashi, Kristin Teetaert. I helped too, and to all the community volunteers who continue to donate their time and energy to making our community a wonderful place to live and raise our families!”
She encourages everyone to take a stroll, visit the trees, and remember why it’s important to come together and celebrate a sense of community at this time of the year.
By Carol Rose GoldenEagle
