he weather outside is frightful, but the EPCPS Christmas ornaments are delightful! Once again, Sue Hamlin’s brainstorm is a big hit. This year, 36 dozen sets ran out the doors of the Christmas House, Community Book Store, Cappy’s, Village Vacuum, and Art and Frame Gallery. The next three year’s sets of 4 will highlight the remaining 12 outer row animals (36 dozen sets only available each year). Don’t miss out… a lot of the stores have ongoing waiting lists started before the ornaments are issued…that way you have a better chance of obtaining the set.

Another special middle row stander arrives this month… special because it was carved by Larry Pefferly himself 18 years ago for his wife, and was his 2nd horse carving. View can be seen locally at ID Booth Inc. showroom on William Street and is available for sponsorship along with half of the Eldridge herd and is truly another museum quality masterpiece.

Larry Pefferly has almost finished carving the last of the outer row horses! We are so blessed to have had artists as talented as Larry and his wife, Jerry, involved with this historic project. In the end, they will have been responsible for creating 26 of 56 animals… all 20 outer row (carved to match in every way the Eldridge originals) and previously created Pefferly masterpieces; Gruff, Cavalier, Roar, View, Westward and Suncatcher.

Our other carvers, John McKenzie (Majestic and Georgette), Oscar Pivaral (Dentzel stander and Looff jumper) and John Kolanach (Otah:yo:nih) are continuing to carve their own creations as we wind up the gathering of animals for the merry-go-round. Many of our carver’s, along with the overview of the Eldridge Park Carousel project, will be featured in this coming Carousel News and Trader, March Carver’s Edition….so stay tuned!!!

Blaine Overaker, Jeff Castor and I continue to gear up and acquire the parts of a state of the art security system. Cameras, door micro switches, microwave/infrared motion detectors, keypads, computer, monitors etc, etc, etc will result in a security system which rivals most bank systems! The system will be capable of storing information from 9 cameras for over a month!

Walter Booth continues to devote himself to this project in ways which few have. He installed, by himself, an insulated cubicle to enclose and protect from freezing, our sprinkler system controlled area. I continue to cherish Walter as a devoted Board member, and a friend.

Many people keep wondering and asking…

”What can I do to help that doesn’t cost a small fortune?”…

Please click on the Sponsorship Page and take note that there are many ways to show your support…Don’t forget our car/cash raffle, the “Stars” from the Star Gazette, and also PLEASE check on our own premier wines, “Sebastian” and “Silver”, bottled by Bully Hill…available for preorder at www.BullyHill.com (click on the carousel animals at the bottom of the page to preorder your bottles). A huge “thank you” to Bully Hill Wineries, Adam LaPierre, and to Kevin Morrison who did the label artwork… for helping to make this unique addition for our project promotion. A portion of the proceeds from the bottles sold will go to EPCPS.

Other ways that you can help…

• Visit the Park…Take your friends and family and go fishing, have a picnic, go for a walk…enjoy the scenery…don’t forget the dog and his leash!!!
• Take action…If you see any wrongdoings at the Park, report it to the authorities. If there are papers/cans on the ground, place it in the nearby garbage cans. This is your Park…take pride in it!!! Many hands make the load light.
• Challenge your friends/family/coworkers to raise money and pool your funds purchase a star, a memorial bench, or sponsor an animal.
• Support the car raffle buy buying tickets… “Hey, you never know…” you may win!!!
• Visit the webpage for updates and news on current and future events.
• Include this effort in your thoughts and prayers… show appreciation of every effort to improve this community.
• Involve your children and grandchildren in fundraising efforts…For example, George Washington School’s reading program where the children are paid for the books they read and the money goes to buy a “star” for their class.
  

Take initiative, be positive and help!!! We are almost there!!

Finally, I am ecstatic to report that Frank Messina and his friend, Kirk Kilmer have completed a 5 CD set of music original to the Eldridge Park Carousel. Click here to read about it in their own words.

The countdown is on….PLEASE HELP!