WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

Gaines Chamber holds inaugural Luminary Walk at Prairie Wolf Park

GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A festive 1.5-mile stroll around Prairie Wolf Park on Saturday evening in Gaines Charter Township provided plenty of illumination during the Christmas season.

 The Gaines Chamber of Commerce hosted its inaugural Luminary Walk in the park adjacent to the township hall on Kalamazoo Avenue south of 84th Street.

Santa Claus was seated there to greet the visitors, and also near the park entrance was a building where hot chocolate, coffee, candy canes and other goodies were served.

Gaines Chamber of Commerce executive director Barb Nauta gave warm smiles to the participants ahead of the lighted pathway walk through the 45-acre park where wolves once roamed many decades ago.

“We’re just so blessed to be able to give back to this amazing community,” Nauta said. “For all of our Gaines Chamber businesses; they’re family to us. We’re so happy to provide the support that we have.”

She added, “We’re bringing back families with this event to gather for the holidays. Strolling through this beautiful park, enjoying hot chocolate donated from our amazing business Swan Orthodonics. Doughnuts from our awesome business partner in SpartanNash’s Gaines Township Family Fare, and homemade cookies from (Gaines Historical Society president) Shirley Bruursema. And we have candy canes, glow sticks and pictures with Santa.”

Deb Gravish of Dorr and her friend, Geri Kevwitch of Saginaw, decided to take the Luminary Walk with a friend, as well.

“We were just looking for something to do tonight,” Kevwitch said.

The luminary walk started just after 6:30 p.m. The temperature was in the upper 30s, but it felt a little colder with the damp air and a little breeze. But there was still snow on the pathway, left over from a couple of early-December winter storms. Dozens of families participated: upward of 300 people.

“We placed luminaries all the way from the township office and from the parking lot at the Prairie Wolf Park entrance, and all the way around the apple orchard,” Nauta said.

The luminaries consisted of white paper bags weighed down with sand to keep them in place on a slightly windy night, and the lighted L.E.D. candles inside them.

Nauta thanked the volunteers who laid down the 450 luminary bags, and also thanked township officials and staff for their partnership with the Gaines Chamber, plus various other businesses for their partnerships, such as Chick-fil-A South, Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy, and the Farm Bureau Springvloed Insurance Agency.

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A group of luminary walk participants warm up with some hot chocolate along the lighted path. Left to right: EKHS National Honor Society member EKHS National Honor Society member Rory VandeBrake; Audrey Wieringa; Gaines Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barb Nauta; Chamber board member Amber Lenhart with Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy in the blue coat; her daughter Haley (pink coat); Norm (Amber's husband), Blake (Amber's son), Louise Klooster (Amber's mom), Jerry Klooster (Amber's dad).Photo: Photo by James Gemmell


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