By By Emilie Mims
When a community works together great things can happen! I am speaking of the 2005 Twilight Christmas Parade, which graced the streets of Atmore on Saturday evening. And what a community effort this was with literally hundreds of people from community churches and organizations working tirelessly to build fantastic floats for the parade. Add to that all of the folks not involved in the float building who showed up to cheer the parade on. Thirty lighted floats and four marching bands! Pat yourselves on the back citizens of Atmore We are hearing here at the Chamber of Commerce that this was the best parade ever and we would like to thank all of you for making it possible!
On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce a very special thank you to our 2005 parade sponsors, Chuck Stevens Automotive and Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union. Your monetary support made this event possible. Also, thank you to our 2005 Parade Marshals, Atmore's Principals: Beth Drew, Rachel Patterson Elementary; Betty Warren, Huxford Elementary; Zack Byrd, Escambia County Middle School; Kyle Ferguson, Escambia County High School; Judy Branum, Escambia Academy and Susan Moorhead, Stand In Extraordinaire for David Nolin at A.C.Moore. And a special thank you to the PCI Sail Center who provided the beautiful float that led the parade carrying the Grand Marshals. It was wonderful to see the excitement of the many children along the street as they spotted their principal. Thanks!
Last, our thanks to Allen Walston, Terry Owens, Grant Owens, Ken Cooper and Allen Nix who assisted Emilie and Shelly with last minute preparations and the Atmore Police Department and the Atmore Fire Department for your participation and assistance. You keep us all safe and we appreciate you so much.
While we are talking Christmas events, I would also like to mention another wildly successful event, An Evening with Santa at Atmore Heritage Park. Held on Thursday evening, over 150 families with lots of kids showed up to enjoy free chili, hot chocolate, cookies and Pepsi.
To our friends at the PCI Sail Center, thank you for again preparing the great chili which warmed us all, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union who provided cups, T.J. and Mark Clayton at Captured Moments who captured many memories on film, Mike Roberts who assisted with decorating the Christmas tree, Tammy Graham and Johnny Rodgers who assisted with the tent and the two young men with the Latter Day Saints who assisted with decorating the Watson Cabin. Also, thank you to, Steve Reynolds, Dale Hurst and Ashley Josey who provided free rides on the Williams Station Day Express. Also thank you to, Pam Hurst, Shelly Williams and the folks at Country Charms who contributed time and talent to make the new elf costumes worn by the Chamber Ambassadors.
Thank you to Lisa Reynolds, Brenda Coleman Kathleen Hall who did an incredible job as Co-Chairs of An Evening with Santa at Heritage Park, and my capable assistant, Shelly Williams who keeps everybody on track.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Santa, who despite his busy schedule, spent over 3 hours at the park so that the children might climb into his lap, share their wishes and have photos taken. Thank you Santa, wherever you are!
Best wishes to all for a joyful Christmas!
Emilie Mims is director of the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce.