‘Twas the Night Before….

 — by Margie Doyle —

The Village Green as night fell

These days it seems like it’s always the night before…. something:

• The Christian School Breakfast
• The Holiday Festival of the Arts
• The Legion’s Holiday Bazaar
• Celtic Christmas
• Community Solar’s Enchanted Evening
• The Choral Society’s performances
• St. Nicholas Day
• The Christmas Carol

Last night we captured some impressionistic (i.e. blurry) pictures of Eastsound Village as night fell and folks gathered in the darkness to spread light and joy.

Our own Santa and Mrs. Claus

Once we closed the doors on the shop, we wandered to the Village Green where Lance Evans, Heather Thomas, Terri Gilleland, Susan Gudgell and Michele Wiley gave treats and hot apple cider — cold fingers say thanks for the nice warm cups and beverage — after the lights came on the Christmas tree.

The Orcas Community Band, with their seasonal red caps,  gathered on the Stage in the Green to make holiday music.

Orcas kids Madeleine and Jo light up the dark night with their beautiful smiles and twinkling eyes

Kids with lights in their shoes darted like fireflies across the dark Green, and Santa and Mrs. Claus — they’re everywhere! — encouraged little believers to come tell them their wishes for Christmas.

A walk down the North Beach Road wind tunnel, and we came across carolers led by John and Faith Heath, warming themselves around a small fire in the Marketplace courtyard. Velma Doty handed out booklets of carols as  the group sang harmonies and descants to the traditional Christmas Carols.

Carolers sing into the winter night

Babies, grandfolks, kids, millenials and boomers drifted in and out of the ad hoc choir, adding tuneful cheer to the lively night scene.

Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall bustles with its kids and families’ pizza party.

At Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall, there was a pizza party for the kids. White flowers and checkered tablecloths decorated the scene as families ate the “bottomless” salads and pizzas of all sorts. Oranges and cloves adorned each table so the kids could make traditional pomander balls.

The manger scene atop the fireplace mantel waits for Baby Jesus to find his way there.

Kathi Anderson in the kitchen at Emmanuel Parish Hall, makes gingerbread bishops for the kids

In the kitchen, Kathi Anderson baked the last batch of St. Nicholas gingerbread cookies, prepared by Louise Tucker, that will be offered on Sunday as part of the church’s 10 o’clock St. Nicholas feast day observance this Sunday, where Antoinette Botsford will tell the story of St. Nicholas.

And then, into the night again, to post notices of coming events, to chat with county officials, to buy the candied cherries and rum for Christmas fruitcakes, and the candles and cough drops that are part of Christmas on Orcas Island.