May Your Nights be Merry and Bright

Islanders will once again bundle up in their mittens and scarves to drink hot cider, eat cookies, sing carols, and admire the holiday lights at the 3rd Annual Lopez Village Winter Gathering and Lighting Festival on Friday, November 25.

The Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce coordinated the first winter gathering to celebrate community and encourage local holiday shopping. Like last year, the chamber will be handing out canvas "Shop Local" tote bags and coupon books filled with discounts and special offers from more than 30 local businesses.

Five hundred people crowded into the village last year, despite inclement weather. Daren Holscher, special event coordinator for the chamber, anticipates the same number this year, and while he hopes for pleasant skies, he recommends bringing an umbrella.

Starting at 4 p.m. you can chat with friends around bonfires in Lopez Village Park, enjoy complimentary holiday treats from the Bay Café, Love Dog Café, Vita's, and Vortex, sip hot cocoa and cider, and listen to caroling by Take Four. Kids--and adults--are invited to the deck in front of Holly B's Bakery and Caffe La Boheme to decorate and then eat a giant gingerbread man.

This year's Grand Lopezian Award will be presented to Holscher, who has owned and operated the Bay Café for 10 years. Chamber members choose the recipient each year, and he received an overwhelming number of votes at the fall meeting.

Holscher has volunteered with Lopez Chamber for four years, and was instrumental in moving the organization into its first office location and launching two new events--the Village Winter Gathering and Tour De Lopez, an annual bike tour in April. He also hosts the chamber's winter meeting in his restaurant, providing hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, and he is the Lopez Chamber representative with the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.

"Daren jumpstarted the chamber into being involved with activities and events. He brought energy to get us looking at what we can do for businesses and the community. He is like the energizer bunny," said Becky Smith, vice president of Lopez Chamber and co-planner of the lighting festival. "Daren is really concerned with drawing business for everyone, so all businesses can make it here."

Shortly after 5 p.m., when it is dark, Holscher will switch on the holiday lights and illuminate the village. The chamber has upgraded to commercial grade lighting for the Weeks Water Tower, and purchased all new lights for the Lopez Ferry Landing, which it will also decorate. A portion of the money for new lighting was donated from chamber members as well as from funds generated by Tour De Lopez.

The winter gathering is one of a flurry of events after Thanksgiving--Lopez Library is holding its book sale on Friday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lopez Center, and the Preschool Holiday Bazaar is on Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the high school gym.

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