Only three days to go until The Magic of Christmas in Essex! Are you ready?
Essex businesses are ready. Holiday vendors are ready. Santa is ready. Even Saturday’s weather looks great!
My excitement got the best of me yesterday, so I dropped into downtown Essex for some pre-Magic reconnaissance. Here’s what I discovered.
Elaine Miller will be channeling Mrs. Santa Claus at the Essex Ice Cream Café. Don’t miss her gingerbread latte (with homemade syrup) and Peppermint Pattie hot chocolate. And if that’s not enough to get your mistletoes tappin’, sample her decadent baked goods including my personal favorite, espresso walnut fudge brownies. Chocolate nirvana!
Once you’ve satisfied your holiday sweets craving head next-door to The Pink Pig where Debbie Schrodt is raffling off Fred, a jumbo stuffed puppy, named by a young girl who visits The Pink Pig frequently. Schrodt is donating all proceeds from The Pink Pig Christmas in Essex Raffle to the North Country SPCA, so be sure to purchase a ticket for everyone on your Christmas list. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5, and the winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve. Of course, if you can’t wait until the night before Christmas to find the perfect gift for everyone one your list, leave time to wander the Pink Pig’s evocative displays. My personal favorite may be the wooden Santas carved and painted by Ben Raino of Whitehall. Handsome local crafts for your favorite folk art collectors.
Next, head across the street to the Belden Noble Library for the silent auction which will be ending right before Steven Kellogg reads A Christmas Memory, by Truman Capote at 4 o’clock. Bid any time the library is open (or by e-mail: bnoblelib1899@willex.com). Simply request a bidder’s number and write your number and bid on the bid sheet next to each item. Bids will be awarded after the reading.
The Christmas in Essex Silent Auction items are currently on display in the library, and all of the items have already received bids, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to join the fun and help the library in the process. Here’s a list of the silent auction items:
- Truman Capote Books: “A Christmas Memory” and “Fruitcake: Heirloom Recipes & Memories of Truman Capote & Cousin Sook” (donated by Tom and Mary Ann Mangano)
- Goodie Basket: two bottles of wine, crackers, nuts, jam, candy and a candle (donated by Jan Moran & Joyce Sukel)
- Winter Warmers: hand knit lace edged hat (dk blue) & fleece lined fabric mittens (donated by Dianne Lansing)
- Bird Watching at Tea Time: Limited edition, leather bound “Birds of the Eastern United States” by Roger Tory Peterson, a small iron teapot, two bags of tea from Tea & Treasures of Plattsburgh, a pair of dripless candles & balsam sachet (donated by The Essex Cottage)
- Reindeer with Pennies: framed folk art piece by Plattsburgh artist, Nancy Lavigne (donated by The Cupola House Gallery)
- Tea or Coffee? two mugs, tea, coffee, sugar, creamer, place mat and napkins (donated by Katherine Cross)
- Essex Inn: $25 gift certificate, bottle of Cabernet, qt. of lobster bisque (donated by Essex Inn)
- Sleighing off to Rick’s: $25 gift certificate, snow couple and decorative sleigh (donated by Rick’s Place & Jan Moran)
- Two Steven Kellogg Books: “Island of the Skog” and “The Three Little Pigs” (donated by Steven Kellogg)
- Three Steven Kellogg Books: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”, “A Hunting We Will Go” and “A Beastly Story” (donated by Steven Kellogg)
- Staying Hydrated: two water bottles, a mug and a card (donated by Essex Ice Cream Cafe)
- Arbonne Beauty Products: Assorted skin and hair products (donated by Laura Bridge)
- Hully Gee: late 1800’s framed print, subject from Yellow Kid comics, approximately 23″ x 18″ (donated by The Pink Pig)
- Kids’ Christmas: three books, snow globe, and three pair of socks (donated by Colleen Van Hoven)
Savvy auction bidders can wrap up their holiday shopping and offer the Belden Noble Library a welcome Christmas fundraising boost in one fell swoop! It doesn’t get much better than that.
And don’t forget to wrap up The Magic of Christmas in Essex by walking over to the Essex Town Hall to enjoy the Christmas tree lighting, courtesy of Ted Taylor of Taylor Tree Care. Certainly there’s a sleigh-full of peppermint karma in the cosmic scheme of things for a jolly fellow who donates a Christmas tree, no?
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Thank you all for the wonderful posts for Essex,I would like to mention as a frequent visitor ,and shopper in Essex…it has always been a treat to go to ESSEX….as a child ,an adult with our children and now as a grandparent! The BIG difference is we now have places to frequent,people who are community oriented….the Inn,the Ice Cream Cafe,The Neighborhood Nest ,Renew,Cupola,and more also very importantly Pink Pig open year round! So many of the businesses do things that are NOT in the news and ergo do not get formally recognized as is their wish….but I would like to point out that there are our very own “Secret Santas” who send flowers,work diligently at church who help those unfortunates,counsel and encourage those in need..and light the evening light so to speak……I do not live in Essex but am in the very close sister town of Willsboro……It amazes me, with the columns that are available ,not enough was truly mentioned about Essex and the terrific job done by all the merchants, thank you Janice Allen contributer of Valley News for Willsboro, for terrific reporting news in the Valley News for both towns and local jazz…..by the way the beautiful tree was donated by Pink Pig……Debbie Schrodt owner and caring of “her” town.and the people,kudos,we welcome all that you have given both publically and privately!!!! The tree is a beauty!!!!!!..I am sure the Village of Essex is so appreciative.,and I know they have thanked you Debbie…….as a participant and one with loving memories and new ones…. thank you Essex …and how lucky we are to live year round in Willsboro and can enjoy our total surroundings! PS… thank you, George,… your photos and words are wonderful…regards to Susan and your pup Griffin:) Connie
Thank you, Connie, for your avalanche of kindness and flattery. It is truly wonderful to live through the current Essex renaissance, and your complements and encouragement help make it worthwhile. Most of all, your participation makes it possible. I genuinely believe that we are witnessing our community’s reawakening. There are so many innovative, hardworking community members and merchants and organizations contributing to the Essex renaissance, and so many generous local residents (like you!) and visitors who support and inspire the momentum building in Essex. It’s an honor to showcase and celebrate these Essex stories on our community blog. Thank you for spreading the word, and happy holidays, Connie!