By: Maria Moore

Neal Yates tending the bonfire.

It was cold and it was a Friday evening, and yet the Bakerville Holiday Festival drew a large crowd to its celebration. Our reporter and her husband, Bob, joined the carolers around the crackling bonfire, singing and visiting, and enjoying cups of hot chocolate, while children played all around. Neal Yates tended the bonfire, while his wife Kathy took a minute from the fun to speak with our reporter. She confirmed that for several years now they had held the tree lighting and the bonfire in their yard across from the library. Our reporter remarked on the perfectly shaped bonfire, and Kathy said that Neal had a special way of building the bonfire so it would collapse inwards, which it promptly did! Dianne Litchfield added that the fire department always had plenty of volunteers who wanted to cover the festival.

Dianne Litchfield in front of the lit Christmas tree.

Our reporter made her way over to the hot chocolate and cookies table and was handed a cup of hot chocolate by none other than Lou Helt, whom she hadn’t seen since…? “United Bank!” Lou filled in, reminding her of the bank that had been in New Hartford center some 20-plus years ago. Leaving Lou to tend to her eager customers, our reporter and her husband visited for a while with Elaine Carmelich, who looked the very picture of a Victorian gentlewoman. But security? “I’ve been assigned to crowd control!” Elaine said, and they all laughed at the thought. But never one to shirk her duties, Elaine could be seen circulating among the different events, with ne’er a problem to resolve.

Elaine Carmelich

Inside the Bakerville Library, our reporter and her husband made their way up to the second floor where the auction items were on display. The number and variety of items was staggering: from freshly-cut holly boughs, to a ski pass, to a beautiful gift voucher announcing ‘A Load Of Crap’, to the highest bidder ~ and yes, there were bids for the truckload of horse manure, courtesy of Rick Goulet. One item that was heard making sweet music was the ukelele donated by the Magic Fluke Co. Joan Auclair was on hand, showing everyone how easy an instrument is is to play. What better way to bid on auction items than to the sound of impromptu music from a magic instrument? Our reporter’s favorite item? It has to be the wine and cheese boat tour of West Hill Pond, something that Charlie and Norma Richmond reminisce over with great fondness.

Annie Demichiel entertains the children

One more stop to make and that was to visit a very special lady, Mrs. Santa Claus. The kindly lady was sitting in her cozy chair in the old firehouse, with Annie Demichiel sitting nearby, singing songs with the children, and with a crafts table with children, busy as elves working in Santa’s workshop. As the steady stream of children made their way to sit on Mrs. Claus’ lap, our reporter and her husband chatted with Karann and Jeremy Schaller, the couple who had recently moved into their eco home. Jeremy provided a quick update: it’s a great place to live in, their solar panels are being delivered next week, and then they’ll be recording for a year the amount of energy the panels will produce. Jeremy also promised to let us know the date of their next Open House, sometime this coming winter. Krish Dasgupta was also there with wife Lesley, both enjoying watching their children at play. With a promise to Krish to get together to talk about websites ~ Krish is a partner in FanNation, a successful online venture ~ our reporter and her husband took their leave, stopping briefly to chat with Kathy White who was busy sweeping around the crafts table. “No pictures!” Kathy laughed, not wanting to give her family any ideas. And with that, our reporter and her husband left the old firehouse, waving to Dale Webb as he followed Sam, eager to enter the building.

The Bakerville Library all lit up.

As our reporter and her husband drove away from the scene, they agreed that they had just been part of something quite special: a small New England village community was congregating, coming together to celebrate the holiday season. Jeremy Schaller voiced it perfectly when he told our reporter: “My mother asked me what I wanted for the holidays and I told her: “What more could I possibly want?” He said, pointing to his family, and looking around him. It’s good to acknowledge happiness, and the Bakerville Holiday Festival was just such an occasion: a community sharing its happiness with all.

Mrs. Claus welcomes a young visitor at the Bakerville Holiday Festival on Friday, December 4. Photo: Maria Moore

Caroling around the perfect bonfire at the Bakerville Holiday Festival, thanks to Neal Yates. Photo: Maria Moore

Also at the Bakerville Holiday Festival on Friday, December 4, 2009, were:

Reggie Smith Jr. (in his Santa hat); Morgan Kennerson (who maybe knew Mrs. Claus’ first name, just maybe).
Please let us know if you were there and we will gladly add your name.