Holiday cheer courtesy of City’s partnership with local organizations

Santa could be getting booked for Chapman Park soon, provided his busy schedule can accommodate the holiday stop-by. The good news comes after the National Honor Society and City of Stanley decided to get together and host the joyous occasion, down at Chapman Park.

Appearing before the Stanley Common Council at the November 2 council meeting with other club members, National Honor Society (NHS) representatives Emily Flaaten and McKenzie Derks pitched an idea by the NHS to the City: working together to bring holiday cheer to the local area. Before the night was over, the City of Stanley and the local Stanley-Boyd NHS chapter had sealed an alliance with the local government to give area residents something to smile about this holiday season. More details were forthcoming at the meeting, as presented by the duo of McKenzie Derks and Emily Flaaten.

“I’m Emily Flaaten and I’m the NHS Secretary,” Flaaten said to the council when called by the Mayor.

“And I’m McKenzie Derks the NHS president,” Derks said, going on. “We had the idea brought to us last year that FFA Alumni thought it would be a good idea to decorate the park,” she said, adding that the idea to ask for donations and get other clubs in on the project went from there. The local NHS president said that the light show put on in concert with the FFA and one other group would be walk or drive-thru, and that the high school choir could be involved with singing Christmas carols for those enjoying the lights. Derks also said that Santa would be making a visit one weekend in December and that hot chocolate would be available, though this last part was contingent on what could be safely offered during a pandemic. After the short presentation, second ward alderman Kevin Hendrickson had some brief thoughts to share.

“Just a few questions,” he said. “So you will be coordinating this?” “We will,” Derks and Flaaten both replied. Hendrickson then asked if the NHS needed any assistance from the city crew.

“Electricity,” came the reply. Stanley public works director John Hoel was present and offered some thoughts as well.

“From our standpoint, the best suggestion is to use the campground area,” he said, making a circular gesture with his hand to indicate the drive path. There was also the need to stay away from the soon-to-intensify construction of the new Community Center over by the Elk Park. With parking and plow questions touched on briefly, the suggestion was floated by NHS club advisor and Stanley-Boyd science teacher Polly Hoffman to turn on the lights three weekends this holiday season.

“We’ll work that into the motion,” Mayor Al Haas said of Hoffman’s suggestion about the later vote details, which vote passed unanimously with the exception of council member Mike Karlen’s absence.

“I think it’s great,” Hendrickson said of the idea. “We should support that 100 percent.” Stay tuned then, and mark those calendars: Christmas at Chapman this year!

Photo by Joseph Back.