Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
AN EARLY VISIT — Santa Clause made an early visit to Merrill’s Millstream Park on Saturday. Carriages of Acadia brought Santa to the park on a horse-drawn carriage and stayed to give rides to those in attendance. Ushering Santa in are, from left, Hannah May McGary and her grandmother, Candy Nevers, Merrill town manager.
by Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
MERRILL — Excitement, eagerness and energy were emitted last Saturday at the Merrill Millstream Park.
The excitement was seeing the horses, the eagerness to greet Santa Claus — and the energy was from the children attending the festivities.
“I think it was a huge success,” said Merrill Town Manager Candy Nevers, who enjoyed the day with her daughter and granddaughters. Ken Bustard of Bucksport and Merrill played Santa, “a job he excels at to say the least.”
Upon arriving, children and adults were treated to hot chocolate, homemade donuts and cookies. The children also were given new hand-knit items, as well.
“Drusilla Ewings of Merrill knit more than 50 pair of mittens, gloves, plus hats and some socks,” said Nevers. “She also donated two large bags of stuffed animals — many she made herself like Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. The stuffed toys were a hit.”
Then, Santa Claus arrived in a horse-drawn carriage driven by Emily Carpenter and pulled by Gub and Pete work horses for Carriages of Acadia, as owner Mike Carpenter walked ahead of the team.
“Carriages of Acadia brought Santa to the Park in grand style and stayed to provide everyone a carriage ride,” said Nevers. “And, Billy Nadeau was on hand to help with the horses. A job he enjoyed for sure. “
Santa climbed off the carriage and immediately started asking children’s names and checking his “list.” After Santa greeted the children and adults he made his way over to a wooden chair and began listening to the childrens’ wishes.
The park committee members had put together 50 bags of goodies to be given out to the children on that day. Santa was able to hand out 47 bags filled with Playdough, pencils, crayons, a tablet and a good selection of candy.
“The Merrill Millstream Park Committee provided the goody bags,” added Nevers. “In addition to the goody bags, children got a stuffed animal, mittens or socks.”
After visiting with Santa, many were treated to a horse-drawn carriage ride along the roadside.
“There were at least 100 adults present, too,” said Nevers, “as most children had a mom and dad with them and often a grandparent or two. There was also a lot of elderly local people, who came out to see the children and the horses.”
Though it was a frigid day, smiles and warm hearts provided warmth.
“It was a grand time,” Nevers said. “A lot of people stayed for the afternoon and visited. A bonfire — built and tended by Rob Furrow — was lit beside the bandstand giving warmth to all. It was a success for sure!”
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| WAVE EVERYONE — Michael Carpenter, right, and his daughter Emily drive a horse-drawn carriage with a group of festival goers at the Millstream Park Christmas Party. | HAVING FUN — Joanne Cushing and her granddaughter Alexis are all smiles as they enjoy a carriage ride by Mike and Emily Carpenter on Saturday. Carriages of Acadia gave rides to those who attended the Christmas activities at Millstream Park. |
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| TALKING TO SANTA – A little girl from Island Falls talked to Santa on Saturday at the Millstream Park in Merrill. Santa gave her a doll. | GENEROUS HEART— Druscilla Ewings, left, gave mittens to children attending the Christmas activities at Millstream Park in Merrill on Saturday. Ewings shows Amaya Boutilier her work. |
