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clockwise from top left:
Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Woodstock Creamery. Courtesy photo.
Woodstock First Selectman Jay Swan and members of the American Legion Benson-Flugel Post 111 at the Christmas tree lighting at the end of the day. Courtesy photo.
Rowan Herlihy, 7, of Eastford, makes a bird feeder with pinecones, peanut butter and seeds. She was at the Woodstock Agricultural Society table. Linda Lemmon photo.
Crafts at Senexet Grange.Courtesy photo.

Winter
Festival a
huge success
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
WOODSTOCK — The Recreation Department's Winter Festival was so successful its on its way to becoming a tradition.
Erin Lucas, Woodstock’s new recreation director, said the vendors called it a complete success. Possible additions to next year’s might be a Scavenger Hunt and Hayride at Roseland Park.
The event was spread throughout town. Santa and Mrs. Claus were at Woodstock Creamery at Valleyside Farm; mini horses delighted at Cherry Ledge Farm and it was “very busy.”
Beth Forand ran a photo booth at the Roseland Park Barn (US Bank Home Mortgage loan officer).
The Senexet Grange had nine vendors — all Woodstock artisans/crafters. The vendors included pottery, paintings, goat soaps, tie dye items, custom metal signs & ornaments, watercolor cards & stationery and holiday crafts & painted board signs. Amy Monahan, Recreation Commission member and Grange coordinator said: “For multiple vendors, this was their first time selling/showing. It was a great mix of items. It was a great location to see people you might not have seen in a while (for instance, my best friend from childhood and our 5th grade teacher were vendors). The youngest vendor was Woodstock Academy Junior Annika Leboeuf, an amazing artist and painter of Eagle Rock. This was her first time selling at a craft show.”
In addition, she said, the Grange had two free craft activities: pipe cleaner Christmas trees and pasta snowflakes. Killingly High School VoAG freshman, Brooke MacWilliams, helped at the craft station.
The Grange also offered homemade chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter fudge and minestrone soup for purchase along with coffee, hot chocolate and water/sodas.
At the end of the day, drawings of prizes donated by participating businesses held at Roseland Park Barn before the Tree Lighting. More than 50 people/families entered the drawing. First Selectman Jay Sway and Woodstock’s American Legion Benson-Flugel Post 111 handled the tree lighting.
The idea for the Winter Festival, according to Recreation Commission member Marie Chamberlin, came from an event in Grafton, Mass., called “Grafton Celebrates the Holidays” that was always a lot of fun for families. Chamberlin said: “It seemed like a great opportunity for local organizations and businesses to connect with residents and also a wonderful way for people to kick off the holiday season and enjoy everything that the town had to offer. For years I wanted to create a similar event in Woodstock and everyone was very receptive to the idea when I suggested it in 2019.”
Cynthia Sherman, from the Shops at Black Walnut Farm, said: “Business owners and seekers of a great fun filled day. People were happy, excited to explore new things in Woodstock, and pleased with their day. Business was off the charts great. People commented over and over again that it brought them to a better understanding of Woodstock business and farms they had never heard of. We have received tremendous well wishes and thanks for being here.
Sue Stern of the West Woodstock Library said the library had about 36 craft kits and 36 snack bags taken.  “We had very happy participants and good comments.”

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