By Doug La Rocque
Moving this year’s annual festival to the Roxborough Holdings building (formerly the Grafton Elementary School) was like adding Miracle Grow™ to the event. Several hundred people stopped by on Saturday, December 8, to enjoy the trees and the other attractions. More than 30 vendors filled the gymnasium and former kindergarten classroom, as well as some spots in the hallway, with food offered in the kitchen and entertainment on the stage.
Nothing but positive comments were heard from those who attended, particularly about the 46 veterans banners that had been recently taken off the telephone and power poles around Grafton, and rehung in the main hallway for all to see and admire. One even honors a Grafton Civil War veteran, and three represent Grafton Soldiers killed in action during World War II. The Grafton VFW post 6340 is named for Ralph Carner, Franklin Etman and Leland Smith.
The trees came in all shapes and sizes, created by individuals, youth organizations and area businesses.
The prize for Best of Festival went to Wendy Bly for “Nature in Crochet,” a poignant moment, as Ms. Bly passed away two weeks ago, but handmade most of the ornaments for her tree prior to her death. The tree was submitted by her husband Bob and sister Vicky Burdick. The Grafton Senior Center’s Yoga Class won the prize for the business/organization category for the “Senior Yoga Tree.” The Adult Prize was entitled the “Memory Tree,” submitted by the Minkler family in memory of Rene Gundrum. The Youth Group from the Grafton Community Library captured top prize in the Children’s category.