NAN SANDERS POKERWINSKI
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HeartWood
A blog about cultivating
creativity, connection and contentment
wherever you are

Walking in Newaygo's Wonderland

12/7/2016

21 Comments

 
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In the 1988 movie "Funny Farm," Chevy Chase's character Andy Farmer—hoping to make a good impression on prospective buyers of the property he's trying to sell—bribes local folks to turn their town into a cheery, Christmas-y village worthy of Norman Rockwell and Currier & Ives. Carolers, sleigh rides, guys in Santa suits, the works.

PictureCrowds gather for the Newaygo Christmas Walk

​If only he'd bought that property in Newaygo instead of Vermont, he wouldn't have had to go to so much trouble and expense. Newaygo's annual Christmas Walk, part of a multi-day holiday celebration, comes complete with twinkly lights, horse-drawn wagon rides, roasted chestnuts, carols—and crowds!

PictureAn opening ceremony and the Christmas-tree lighting begin the festivities.





​The first time Ray and I attended the event, just after moving here, we weren't expecting much. While Newaygo had a lovely little shopping district, we'd never seen it exactly bustling, especially in winter. We figured we'd join a few other hardy souls watching the Christmas tree lighting, wander into a shop or two to snag the free cookies we'd heard about and call it a night.

​Imagine our astonishment when we turned onto the main street and found ourselves in the midst of a traffic jam. Cars were backed up in both directions trying to get into town, and people were already spilling onto the streets. When we finally managed to park and join the crowd, we were swept up in the festivity.
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Young carolers sing out
PictureA peek inside a Newaygo's River Valley Antiques
I guess that's what keeps drawing me back year after year. On the face of it, it's hard to explain the appeal of shuffling down the sidewalk with several hundred other people, jostling to get into shops that are usually easy to access but are mobbed on this night, taking in sights, smells and sounds—the tree lighting, the roasted chestnuts, the holiday songs—that change little from year to year. All I can say is, it's a night that blends memories of long-ago Christmases with anticipation of the coming season and makes the ordinary seem special.

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A stuffed squirrel (like the one in "Funny Farm," come to think of it!) keeps watch over the refreshment table at Parsley's Sport Shop
PictureThe always-popular train exhibit at Newaygo County Historical Museum and Heritage Center

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​A big part of the pleasure is running into friends on the street, in the shops or in the churches and the historical museum, which have special events and exhibits. So what if I just saw those friends a few days earlier—or that very afternoon? Everyone seems even friendlier at the Christmas Walk.

After our first experience with Christmas Walk traffic, we've made a point of arriving early and grabbing a bite in a local eatery. This year it was Newaygo Brewing Co., which was decked out with Christmas ornaments artfully hung from the chandeliers and wait-staff wearing embellished holiday sweaters (including one with "Ugly Christmas Sweater" knit right into the design).
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The new Sui Generis store
​Then, the slow procession down the street, but with a few new twists this year. The home furnishings store, Sui Generis, had just moved into its big, bright, new location in The Stream building and was holding its grand opening. Seeing the long-vacant corner of that building lit up and lively made for an uptown feeling. Down the street, Fuego, a new-ish fusion restaurant in nearby Grant, had set up a taco stand. When we stopped by, about an hour into the evening, they'd already sold 180 tacos and had to send out for more ingredients. It was heartening to see these local businesses—as well as others up and down the street—attracting customers.
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​A highlight of the evening was the photography exhibit and contest at
Newaygo United Methodist Church (and not just because I had two photos in the show). I loved seeing the variety of artistic approaches and subjects—toads to tools, landscapes to loved ones. Apparently a lot of other Christmas Walkers did, too: more than 1,000 people came through the exhibit.

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Photo exhibit visitors could vote on favorites
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​When I look at our calendar for the rest of the month, I see days filled with gatherings of family and friends, the local library book sale, and a smattering of meetings and appointments. It'll all be over so quickly, which makes me glad for getting an early start with Newaygo's Christmas Walk.

Do you have can't-miss holiday events and activities, or do you try to do something different every year?
21 Comments
Sally Pobojewski
12/7/2016 06:45:06 am

Nancy, you and Ray are so lucky to have settled near Newaygo. The Christmas Walk sounds wonderful.

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Nan
12/7/2016 06:46:41 am

I guess it's obvious that we think so, too!

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Kitty
12/7/2016 04:18:44 pm

Nan you make me want to leave Anna Maria Florida for a night and return to Newaygo for such fun festivities!!!!

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Nan
12/8/2016 12:45:34 pm

Come on back!

Tonya Howe
12/7/2016 07:05:44 am

Thankyou for honoring our sweet little town;I never get tired of the christmas walk.especially liked the pic from sidewalk looking into new store

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Nan
12/8/2016 12:46:17 pm

Thanks, Tonya. You're one of the people I'm always happy to run into at the Christmas Walk!

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Nancy Waits
12/7/2016 07:06:43 am

Thanks for making this your December blog. I don't miss much about winter in Newaygo County, but the Christmas Walk is one.

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:49:34 am

We should organize another one in summer for all the snowbirds!

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Fran Haman
12/7/2016 08:36:55 am

Thanks for sharing your Christmas Walk. It was a treat to know that such "simple" ways of experiencing the many forms of beauty and joy of this great Holiday still arouse that very special bucket of feelings. I love it. Fran

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:50:19 am

So true, Fran. Thanks for reading!

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Colleen M. Story link
12/7/2016 09:38:17 am

What a way to get into the holiday spirit, Nan! Thanks for sharing. Love the pics. :O)

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:51:38 am

Thanks, Colleen! Happy to have you visit HeartWood.

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Susan Stec
12/7/2016 10:31:46 am

It sounds like a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit. Since moving to Michigan, I have missed the tri-county tree lighting events that took place around Thanksgiving in Mount Dora, Leesburg and Tavares, Florida. We took the grand kids every year and it was awesome! Of course the kids are not children anymore, now scattered, some are off to college, others working or off with friends preholiday, but I will have to check this one out.

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:52:31 am

I'll look for you on next year's Christmas Walk, Susan!

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Valerie deur
12/8/2016 05:20:04 pm

Christmas walk 2016. another good one I finally heard the newaygo high school jazz band. they certainly are talented. love bumping into you and Ray, in Newaygo, Grant or at hit the road joe in Croton!

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:54:32 am

We missed the band this year (my fault -- I somehow thought the tree-lighting was happening before the opening ceremony, so we were standing by the tree while all that good stuff was going on). We heard them last year, though and we were impressed!

Always cheering to run into you, Valerie, wherever our paths cross!

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Sally C Kane
12/8/2016 06:35:18 pm

I enjoy the way you make the ordinary sacred and special, using the Currier and Ives analogy. Great photos as always. The silhouettes of walkers against the inside of the Su Generis store was my favorite.

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:55:23 am

Thank you, Sally! The silhouette photo is my favorite, too.

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Laura Bailey
12/11/2016 10:17:09 am

I think living in a small town is one of the most underrated quality of life boosters, and this post proves it! You've made this sound so charming! Also, the squirrel reminds me of the movie, "Christmas Vacation." Love this post.

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Nan
12/13/2016 08:56:25 am

There's a squirrel in that movie, too?!! Those stuffed squirrels get around! Thanks for your comments, Laura.

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JQ Rose link
12/28/2016 01:05:05 pm

What a charming place to be during the holiday season. Newaygo is such a neat old town settled on the river. I've always loved the place, but I never experienced the walk. How many years have they done that? Yes, a summer walk for snowbirds is definitely in order!! Lemonade, hot dogs, and sunscreen would be perfect.

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    Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, a former journalist, writes memoir and personal essays, makes collages and likes to play outside. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, Ray.

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