Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Leader Millennium Gardens has transformed into “The Garden of Lights” for the Christmas Season
By Mallory Cawthra
I recently took an evening stroll through “The Garden of Lights,” and it definitely made my spirits bright! Thanks to community collaboration and teamwork, the Leader Millennium Gardens has been transformed into “The Garden of Lights” for the Christmas season. The Millennium Gardens was once an abandoned waste site but has been transformed into a tranquil garden, complete with a gazebo, walking paths, shrubs, trees and annual and perennial flowers. The Christmas lights have timers and will be twinkling every night of the Christmas season.
As I walked through “The Garden of Lights” entrance from Main Street, I noticed the beautiful artwork atop the entranceway; Rhona Clary painted it. The entranceway is also decorated with welcoming, bright lights. Both Lee Elsasser, the Chamber Development Officer for the Leader and District Chamber of Commerce, and William Brian Clary, assembled the many Christmas lights provided through donations and purchases.
After passing through the entrance, I noticed a large “Merry Christmas” sign to my left – illustrating a jubilant snowman family posing with their dog. William Brian Clary made the sign, complete with face cut-outs to take a picture with family, friends and/or pets - Ace Hardware donated the plywood for the sign. As I strolled along the walking path, I noted the laser light features, which Shelley Schneider contributed. The gazebo in the center of “The Garden of Lights” has numerous lighted candy canes decorating the exterior, adorned with wreaths, and up the steps is a splendid Christmas tree decked with lights and decorations.
I observed an illuminated snowman, reindeer and a penguin in the garden; Luanne Meier Todd contributed the penguin. The trees and shrubs are decorated with hues of red, purple, white and multi-coloured lights. As I finished walking along the path, I couldn’t help but feel festive and a sense of peace. I thoroughly enjoyed my stroll through “The Garden of Lights,” and I hope that many others get to enjoy it, too.
Photos by Mallory Cawthra (click for larger images)
