To the editor:
Several years ago Nashville’s Main Street Committee formed a group of volunteers called “Christmas in Brown County.”
Very instrumental in this task have been the efforts of Brown County native Marilyn Rudd. Under her artistic guidance the group works all year-round making decorations for the courthouse grounds, Village Green corner, Playhouse, the town tree and the History Center’s schoolhouse as well as making the wreaths and swags for the side streets and entrances to Nashville.
The Brown County Community Foundation has provided the work space; Designscape has generously donated the six trees; and Ric Fox has provided the light hookups. Their continued support has been greatly appreciated.
This year it became a larger community endeavor and these volunteers wanted to express their appreciation for the help given.
The Brown County Parks and Recreation provided the daytime help of Scott Lucas and Andy Rudd to hang the falling tree lights. Habitat for Humanity volunteers Carl and Doreen Bochmann, Marilyn and Rhett Fagg, Ruth Jarrett, Scott Mills, Dave Richards and John Werner secured the Christmas trees to the lamp posts and strung the lights. Adam Behmlander, Benni Clevenger, Brian Lucas, Nancy Hill and Ben Seastrom of our police department carefully hung the tree decorations.
It was a tremendous help, greatly appreciated and we enjoyed working together.
Once again Marilyn Rudd and Syd Nickels decorated the sleigh and courthouse stairs. Dan Waldhier and Kenny Wendling hung the wreaths and swags. Andy and Marilyn Rudd installed the reindeer. They also helped with all the other tasks as did Dorothy Babcock, Marcia Smith, Peggy Thompson, Linda Hawken Wendling, Aileen Wineinger and Brenda Young.
The story doesn’t end here. There is a whole other chapter: The Annual Tree Lighting at our History Center. We find luminaries lining the walk, music, Santa, elves, candy canes and wooden nickels.
Peaceful Valley Heritage furnished a live tree with handmade decorations for the Gnaw Bone Log Room and the Pioneer Women provided homemade cookies, hot chocolate and coffee for the price of a ‘Thank you.’
Bob Shook, John Main and Richard Frenzel have made a great team overseeing the event. Alice Lorenz, Ivan Lancaster and Vickie Faulkner are always there to welcome you.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau puts together a flyer each year listing all the other fun activities such as the Community Foundation’s Stuff a Stocking, the Light Parade and the Children’s Benefit Auction.
It has been heartwarming to see our small community have so much ownership in Main Street’s Christmas in Brown County! We hope you enjoy our efforts and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Christmas in Brown County Volunteers (submitted by Dorothy Babcock)
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