Community Corner

Letter Thanks Bel Air Community for Support of Christmas Celebration

In the wake of the Bel Air Christmas parade and celebrations, Michael Blum, Christmas Celebration chairman, thanks residents and recognizes the community partners who helped make it a success.

Bel Air Christmas Celebration chairman Michael Blum counts the event a success and thanks the community for support.

Here is the letter unedited and printed in full:

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, I would like to thank the citizens of greater Bel Air for their attendance and enthusiasm at yesterday's (Sunday, December 4) Main Street Christmas Parade and Shamrock Park Celebration. The weather was perhaps the best in many, many years, and about the best we could ever hope for: warm, sunny, not too windy! And the very large and enthusiastic crowds really seemed to appreciate the weather and the festivities!

All of us volunteers who produced the celebration were particularly pleased to see so many children (and even pets!) enjoying the sights and sounds. I happened to drive one of the later units in the parade, and the joy on the faces of the kids and families made me very, very happy, and I think reflected the values of our community and the love we all have for this season.

Special thanks must go to the hard-working volunteers who put the entire celebration together, especially including Jennifer Mainster-Hanna, without whose hard work the parade could not have been anywhere near as good! Other volunteers included David Blum, Dina Boebel, Aaron Cahall, Alex Krowzow, Patti Pearce, David Williams, and Kristi Schwartz, Jennifer Powell and Lauren Stouten from CHESAPEAKE MOMMIES. The sponsor banners were  carried by members of Cub Scout Pack 777, based at Bel Air United Methodist Church. Dina Boebel and Trish Heidenreich decorated the Reviewing Stand.
Plus hard-working members of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, led by Scott Walker, Executive Director, and the Town of Bel Air administration, led by Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development. Thanks also to Town Administrator Chris Schlehr; Director of Administration Joyce Oliver; Administrative Assistant Laura Stafford; and Director of Public Works Randy Robertson and his hard-working crew, led by Steve and Andy.
The celebration of course was supported by Town of Bel Air Commissioners Edward Hopkins, Robert Preston, David Carey, Robert Reier, and Susan Burdette, who marched in the parade and gave out candy canes!
The entire celebration could not have been done without the support and assistance of the Town of Bel Air Police Department, and especially Police Chief Leo Matrangola and Deputy Chief Rick Peschek.

Judge Susan Hazlett and Judge Angela Eaves, assisted by Trish Heidenreich, presided at the Reviewing Stand, where Teri Kranefeld did a wonderful job narrating the proceedings. The fabulous early entertainment was provided by the Patrick Redmond Band, whose spirited and upbeat music really made Main Street into a "Winter Carnival"!

The judges determined the following awards for the parade: 1st place — BEST IN PARADE: C. Milton Wright High School Marching Mustang Band; 2nd place — TWIRLTASTIX; 3rd place— Patterson Mill High School Marching Band; Honorable Mentions: Joppatowne Mariners Marching Band and Rosman Street Performers.

At Shamrock Park, after the parade, Jay van Deusen built and maintained the nice warm bonfire; Jim McMahan was the perfect Master of Ceremonies, leading the crowd in Christmas Carols, accompanied by a wonderful performance by the Bel Air Community Band, led by Scott Sharnetzka. Free hot chocolate and cookies were given out, courtesy of Coffee Coffee and Wegman's.

The celebration could not have been produced without the financial support of many local businesses. Band Sponsors were  Brown, Brown & Young, Attorneys at Law; Buontempo Bros/Tower Restaurant; Corbin Fuel; Harford Mutual Insurance Company, Jones Junction Toyota, Scion, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, Subaru and Hyundai; and Point Breeze Credit Union. Additional Sponsors were Circa Limited, Towne Barbers, Saxon's Diamond Centers and Wells Fargo. 
Flowers by Design on Main Street kindly allowed the parade to use its rooms for "costumed character" changing (thanks, Patti!)!

On a personal note, I want to thank the Town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Downtown Alliance for having the heart and sensitivity to mount such a celebration, now in its third decade. The Holiday Season (whether one celebrates Christmas or Chanukah or Kwanzaa, or any other holiday) is one of joy, and is the time to celebrate life and family, and to give to charity and to the community. It is the season of hope and rebirth, the return of light, and of the fellowship of humankind. 

As the days grow dark and cold, we illuminate and warm our community and our lives with events like this. Long may the Bel Air Christmas Parade and Celebration flourish!

Yours most sincerely,

Michael Blum
Chairman
Bel Air Christmas Celebration 2011

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