 A Publication of Historic Georgetown, Inc. Volume XXXVI, No. 2 Fall 2005 |
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A Publication of Historic Georgetown, Inc. Volume XXXVI, No. 2 Fall 2005 |
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Mayor
proclaims Ronald J. Neely Day
Thirty-five years of leadership honored |
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By Cynthia Skeen On Wednesday morning, August 31, about seventy-five members of the community gathered by the Hamill Park gardens to await the arrival of HGI President Ronald Neely. Word had quietly passed, as is possible in a small town, that a surprise gathering would be held to mark Ronald J. Neely Day. A town proclamation had been prepared without Ron's knowledge. Police Judge Robert C. Smith read the entire proclamation to the assembled crowd. The proclamation recognizes thirty-five years of outstanding leadership in the persistent and persuasive promotion of the preservation of the structures and setting of Georgetown and the Landmark District. Among Ron's numerous accomplishments that are cited in the proclamation are his pioneering effort to shape an organization that would look after preservation issues; securing important structures that represent the varied lifestyles prevalent in Georgetown's days as a mining community; promoting historic preservation in the private sector; and supporting heritage tourism. In conclusion, the proclamation states: "WHEREAS, the anniversary of 35 years of service to the Georgetown community inspires his friends, colleagues and admirers to honor Ron, the enduring voice of our historic heritage preservation, and to recognize his untiring dedication, devotion and single-minded obstinate determination, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Town of Georgetown on this
date places into the historical record of our community this Proclamation
as abiding evidence of the appreciation of the Town of Georgetown and
its present and future citizens, to Ronald J. Neely for his leadership
over these past 35 years in caring for our remarkable place. |
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that August 31, 2005, is hereby proclaimed as RONALD J. NEELY DAY in the Town of Georgetown, and the citizenry is encouraged to celebrate and honor the accomplishments and contributions, too numerous to recount herein, of this most revered, enlightened, and esteemed citizen." The festivities concluded as HGI members brought forth two signposts labeled "Neely Lane," to mark the short segment of road between the Hamill carriage house and the park. Never one to be left speechless, Ron responded, "If we had worked a little harder, maybe I could have had an Avenue!" As one wag noted, "Well, maybe a 'Parkway,' Ron."
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Merchants
and non-profits work together to
provide Christmas Market memories |
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Active participation by the town's merchants has been a mainstay of Christmas Market over the years. This year, a new group of seven business owners, who jokingly refer to themselves as the "Desperate Merchants Association," or DMA, is taking a major role in the promotion of the Market. The DMA is encouraging homeowners, businesses, and the Town of Georgetown to participate in a community-wide effort to decorate for the holidays by Thanksgiving weekend. They are also working with the Parks and Recreation Commission to sponsor a decorating contest replete with prizes. The original Christmas Market was organized in 1959. Three of the guiding forces were Annette Holmes, co-founder of the Red Ram, and silversmiths Stig and Astrid Gusterman. Coralue Anderson remembers the townspeople starting work in September or October in the basement of the old library, fashioning crafts to sell in the outdoor market. She recalls making dolls out of prunes and wire, and then dressing them with little scraps of material. |
Enthusiastic residents also painted wooden candelabra that had been sawn from a sheet of plywood, and they dipped candles and rolled tapered beeswax candles. The candles were then attached to logs that had been drilled and decorated with kinikinnick and cedar. Present-day Christmas Market visitors also enjoy touring the museums of historic Georgetown, including the Hamill House, the elegantly restored home of wealthy mine and mill owner, William Arthur Hamill; the Hotel de Paris, an immaculately preserved old Georgetown hotel; and the Georgetown Energy Museum, located at the oldest continuously operating hydroelectric plant in Colorado. After shopping and touring, guests are invited to Grace Hall, on Taos Street next to the Episcopal Church, where a lovely high tea is served daily during the Market.
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The
46th annual Georgetown Christmas Market will be held during the first
two weekends of December (Dec. 3, 4, 10, and 11, 2005). Christmas Market
features an outdoor European-style marketplace with handcrafted gifts.
Of course, visitors can also enjoy Georgetown's year-round shopping
experience. Horse-drawn carriages provide tours of the historic neighborhoods,
and several properties are open for tours. Beautiful shops showcase
Christmas ornaments and decorations, Victorian items for the home, exquisite
clothing, antiques, and gifts. Visitors enjoy appearances by St. Nicholas
in his traditional dress, the daily procession of the Santa Lucia carolers
in Victorian costume, dancers, and other family entertainment.
For
two weekends each December, the residents of Georgetown transform the
town into a charming 19th-century Christmas scene that has provided
fond memories for generations of Colorado families. For more information
about Christmas in Georgetown, please call Historic Georgetown, Inc.,
at (303) 569-2840, or visit our web site at www.historicgeorgetown.org.
For lodging, photos, and general information, visit www.clearcreekcounty.org;
or call Georgetown Community Center at (303) 569-2888 or Georgetown
Gateway Visitor Center at (303) 569-2405. To donate to the advertising
fund, please contact Carol Curran at (303) 569-2664.