Letter: Thank You Portland

On Dec. 4, the Town of Portland kicked off the upcoming Holiday Season with the Annual Tree Lighting and Carol Sing and the CT Cellar Savers Lighted Parade, which was dedicated to Robert Baines Jr., the founder of the Lighted Parade.

A very large crowd gathered on Main Street and at the Brownstone Intermediate School to enjoy the parade and festivities, as well as a visit from Santa, followed by hot cocoa and cookies at Co. 1 Fire House.

We would like to thank everyone who came out to watch the event and for donating food items and toys for the Portland Food Bank and Youth Services to distribute over the holidays. We are extremely grateful to the following volunteers and staff who helped make this year’s event such a great success:

The CT Cellar Savers, the Portland Volunteer Fire Departments along with the Woman’s Auxiliary and Fire Police, Portland Police Department, the Parks and Recreation Commission and their family volunteers, the Brownstone Intermediate School and staff, Dave Kuzminski our MC, Fran Schoell, Phyllis Clark and Nancy Arcand for judging, Carl Johnson and the Portland Grounds Crew, Kristen Novak and the PHS Jazz Ensemble and PHS Chorus, Todd and Mindy Aresco for feeding our volunteers, Andy Bauer and The Clean Energy Group along with all those who participated in the parade, and last but not least, Dylan Jensen and Santa who flipped the switch to light the tree!

A very Happy and Safe Holiday Season to all!

Sincerely,

Bob Currier, CT Cellar Savers

Mary Pont, Youth Services Director

Sean Dwyer, Parks & Recreation Director

Carol Revicki, Parks & Recreation Secretary