By: Stephen McCollum

The best magic always leaves you asking, “Now how did that happen?” 

Several hundred people—including many families with young children—braved some seasonal chill Saturday night, December 7 for the first annual Cornuelle Veterans Tree Lighting. 

The event, named in memory of a World War I veteran, H.C. Cornuelle, who pastored the First Presbyterian Church in Hartford City, featured a perpetual tree planted by the H.C. Urban Forest and Greenscape Commission and purchased by American Legion Post 159. Patti Chick Brown, president of American Legion Post 159 Auxiliary, was at the switch, honoring her father, Samuel Chick, who was killed in action in World War II.

The Blackford High School JROTC unit presented the colors, and Mike Boe of American Legion Post 159 played Taps. 

Special entertainment was provided by the Lighthouse Church Children’s Choir singing Christmas carols; Katie Wright, who offered carriage rides on the square; and Santa Claus, who entertained the children’s visions of sugar plums as the excitement of Christmas builds.

In conjunction with the lighting festivities, the Hartford City Main Street group judged a downtown merchants’ lighting and display contest. First place of $500 went to the Muncie Mission, with a tie for second and $250 each to Sunshine Palace and the Purdue Extension. The Licking Township Trustee’s Office and the Arts Center received honorable mention.

Funding for the festival was provided by Joe Peacock, president and CEO of KDC Investments, Inc., and developer of the Old Town Villas project on the northeast corner of the square. 

Plans are already in motion to make this annual event bigger and better. The original committee of Dustin George, Chris Holtzleiter, Joelle Freiburger, and Sam Swenson is to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication, said Anne Owen, Executive Director of Blackford County Area Planning and Zoning.

Attendees were treated to hot chocolate and homemade cookies by Joelle Freiburger, hot chili by John Lancaster, and John Oxley served the hot dogs. It was all free thanks to event sponsors!

“This has been a huge success!” said Oxley.”I’ve served more than 100 hot dogs in no time at all.”

“We are really looking forward to a bigger event next year,” said Dustin George, city councilman. 

Other sponsors and supporters of the first annual Cornuelle Veterans Tree Lighting include: The Jim Berry family and Keplinger Funeral home who provided lights for the tree; New Indy Containerboard for financial support; Freiburger and Murphy Law Office; the Girl Scouts for craft activities; Lauren Holsten of Wise Elephant Photography; Jacki Clamme and Stephanie Young for the cotton candy; and Heartland Church for crafts.

So that’s how all that magic happened on the square last Saturday night. Sometimes it takes a village—not just to raise a child, but to keep their vision alive so the village can grow and prosper.

Keep your eyes and ears open for announcements about a possible spring festival also aimed at drawing families together to build community spirit.