ROSCOMMON- Every event begins with a simple idea, a conversation among friends, someone saying – “we should do, have, or start,” and the rest becomes history. Many times, in that beginning “history”, no one writes down all the process, or where exactly an idea came from. That is the way of the beginning of Roscommon’s Christmas in the Village.
According to Lori Mattingly, Christmas in the Village Chairperson, “Ledgend has it” that Joyce Babbitt, the owner of the former AuSable Drug Store in the 70s, she and some other local ladies were visiting in the drug store, saw the large tree, said “we should get that lit.” They also decided that Jim Mahoney, school choir director, should get some of his students to sing Christmas songs at the lighting of the large Christmas tree located on the former Gerrish-Higgins Middle school property at the corner of Lake and 4th Street. (CRAF Center).
Higgins Township Fire Department would decorate the large tree and there was coffee, hot cocoa, cider, and donuts to enjoy. Coloring contests were held for elementary and preschool classes and savings bonds were awarded to winners.
Caroling continued from 1977 with the tree lighting, until 1994, when Judy Kominek formed a committee, and named the event Christmas in the Village. At that time, the event was under the auspices of the Higgins/Roscommon Chamber of Commerce, directed by Lois Bird. Christmas in the Village is still with the Chamber and currently in the process of becoming a non-profit.
New volunteers brought new ideas over the years. Lion Club has grilled hot dogs for the price of a canned good, luminarias were added to line the streets in 1994, Santa House, Electric Light Parade with over 30 entries, the Train Museum decorates store windows with running model trains, a craft show, and of course Santa arrives.
The craft show is one of the largest events of the day, with shoppers able to purchase that first special handmade item. Music heralds from speakers atop the stores during the day, and some local businesses provide cookies, cider, or hot chocolate to their shoppers.
The Galimore House and Richardson School are open for visitors to step back in time, enjoy Wassail and cookies, as well as purchase some homemade goodies.
Several years ago, a mom and daughter were late getting in town one year, and while standing under the trees, the lights came on and they said, “it was like being in the middle of a Hallmark moment!” That’s what the committee hope everyone may feel.
While the event is a lot of work, Lori and husband Patrick Mattingly Jr. said it is special seeing the craft show shoppers, and in the evening, prior to the parade, watching the families on the lawn, the reindeer, and children climbing on the gingerbread house.
While not directly connected to Christmas in the Village event, the Roscommon High School Marching Band hosts Breakfast with Santa at the Roscommon High School, Good Shepherd UMC holds their annual Cookie Walk and the Santa Train, organized by Mark Constance in coordination with Lake State Railroad, rolls into to town.
The committee hosts a variety of fundraisers for the event, including a pastie sale, Christmas Raffle, and for 2024, a Christmas in the Village Cookbook is being produced. All funds raised go back into the materials, paying for horses, reindeer, and other expenses generated for the event. As with everything else, those costs also continue to go up.
Putting on this event is a year-round effort. It takes many hands, new ideas and constant upgrading of decorations. The late Veryl Gulick served for many years as chairperson following Kominek. In addition to a host of other volunteers, Gulick incorporated many family members into the committee. It seemed a natural progression for his daughter, Lori Mattingly, to be his successor.
Other members of the committee are Pam and Jim Tucker, Tammy Menghini, co-chair, Terry McGee, Paul Menghini, Jeannie Cavanaugh, Vicky and John Fuerst, Denise and Chris Becker, Nan Malloy, Louise Willis, Kathy and Rick Reese, Janice Kasik, Carrie Miller, and Cassidy and Jackie Moore. The volunteers handle everything from the horse drawn carriages, light parade, luminarias, decorations, book fair, IT, to food trucks and more.
This year’s Christmas in the Village was Sat., Dec. 2. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. For more information contact roscommonchristmasinthevillage.com or call Lori at 989-275-4947.
