Christmas Island Style Packs Away Tree

The wind-down of the Christmas Holiday events is two-fold for the many Christmas Island Style (CIS) Committee volunteers. Phase one comes with the CIS Awards Ceremony, which was held on January 5. That would be an evening of celebration and smiles at the Lutheran Church’s large community room. The 2023 Canine Pet Parade winners, Street Parade winners and Boat Parade winners were all recognized.

There, the many volunteers mingled with those receiving awards for their efforts during the many events held during the holiday season. “Everyone who participated in the various events were winners, but the biggest winners were the residents who benefited from that hard work,” said Wanda Burson, Chairperson of Christmas Island Style.

Attendees enjoyed some light refreshments as they gazed up onto the two large screens above the stage, which highlighted the many holiday activities. Their eyes would move from one photo to another as they recognized friends and family members who were part of each presentation.

From the Marco Middle School creation of the 2023 collectible ornament to the assembly of the Community Christmas Tree as the branches were fluffed and LCEC’s assistance in lifting the rings into place, the island got into the spirit of the holidays. John Cavanaugh and Frank Steiger’s photos captured everything from puppies in costume to the wonderful parades on land and in the water as time slipped by and we found ourselves once again at the CIS Awards Ceremony.

There would be one last chore to do, and that would be with the careful disassembly of the tree on January 9. Once again, the dedicated volunteers would gather at the Community Park to reverse the task of dealing with the tree.

Slowly but surely, the large rings would be lifted off the assembled tree and gently laid upon the ground. The beautiful decorations would be removed and packaged, as well as the branches removed and taken to one of the two large trailers that store the beautiful tree which the community graciously purchased through donations.

The tree is packed away, the angels stored, and the Christmas banners carefully rolled and bagged until next year. The many volunteers that help to make the events successful can rest and wait until November of 2024 when, once again, they’ll be called upon to mobilize for another Christmas…Island Style!

Christmas Island Style Awards

2024 Ornament Contest Winners

First Place – Chapin Lee – Eighth Grade

Second Place – Kevin Hipolito Rios – Eighth Grade

Third Place – Kanyapath Chitchop – Seventh Grade

Honorable Mention

Jackson Lightell – Eighth Grade

Isla Ray – Seventh Grade

Merydee Morales Uriostegui – Sixth Grade

Special Recognition Award

Marco Island Academy - For welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus on their annual first stop on Marco Island and for filling the sleigh at the Annual Street Parade

Rookie Elf Awards

* Derric Stull

* Chris Savarino

* Doreen Herriman

* Al Librandi