Clear Spring alive with holiday sights

Busy sidewalks, Plumb Grove decked out in old-time ambiance

December 11, 2005|By DANIEL J. SERNOVITZ

CLEAR SPRING -

The sidewalks of Clear Spring were bustling Saturday night as Christmas sprit and merriment filled the cold night air as the town rolled out a medley of events designed to capture the atmosphere of Christmas past.

"It used to be that they would walk along the streets and sing," said Susan Mason, vice president of the Clear Spring Garden Club that coordinated Christmas in Clear Spring. "I guess our society is so rushed now. You see that everywhere, so this was just to bring back some of the old-time ambiance."

Seemingly unmindful of the cold, families and holiday revelers strolled along Cumberland Street, visiting open houses, listening to bands perform at various locations and stopping into places including Town Hall for refreshments and a model train display.

The garden club held the first Christmas in Clear Spring three years ago, and event coordinator Kathleen King said the club's members have been planning this year's event since last January. King said the club deliberately avoided making the event an annual tradition.

"We think once every three years makes it kind of special," King said. "It's just a nice evening for people to come to Clear Spring and enjoy themselves."

Laurie Bucher, who lives outside Clear Spring, said she decided to take in some of the more musical parts of the event, including a brass performance at the Verizon building at 202 Cumberland St. and a flute and classical guitar session at St. Johns United Church of Christ.

"This is wonderful. It's just a sense of community," Bucher said as she walked along Cumberland Street to a brass performance further down the street.

Stepping out of the cold, many residents took the occasion to stop by Plumb Grove, which hosted its annual open house to correspond with Christmas in Clear Spring.

Lisa Poole, a board member with the Clear Spring District Historical Association Inc., said there was a steady flow of former Clear Spring residents returning to see the town and restored house during the evening.

"Christmas is something we kind of do for the public," Poole said. "It's something we can share."

Such was the case for Eastern Shore resident Stuart Parsley, who grew up in Clear Spring and returned for a family event. He said he was pleased to see so much activity in town.

"Even the little town, I haven't seen spirit like this in a long time," Parsley said. "It's home. I've been away 35 years, but it's always home."

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