Saint Nicholas or Prancer

By Linda Cicoira

Earlier this month, I suggested that some of our local movers and shakers designate an area in either Accomack or Northampton, give it a name with Christmas appeal, and get a separate postal code where children could send letters to Santa. My vision included spots where photos with the celebrity could be made, Nativities could be set up, eggnog and hot chocolate could be sold, and people could gather and sing their hearts out and bring cheer.

I also proposed that the little town be open year-round to boost the economy with shops and art and everything Christmas. I know a woman who collects Nativities and has 50 of them. Wow!

Many local folks, and some who are familiar with our area, wrote to share their enthusiasm for such a project, give their two cents worth, and vote for their favorite name for the destination.

Saint Nicholas and Prancer were tied for first place. They easily beat Candy Cane, Va., Nativity, Va., Stocking Stuffer, Va., and Secret Santa, Va. Other suggestions were: Christmas Creek Festival to be near Onancock Creek, Sleigh Shore, Va., and SANDta BAYby, Va. I also thought Fruitcake, Va., might bring a few visitors.

As Robert Doughty of South Chesconessex said, “Since Maryland already has a Saint Michael, it is only fitting that we have a Saint Nicholas, Va.”

That makes sense, but Prancer goes better with an exciting suggestion made by Gary Gibbons. He picked the reindeer name because of our deer population on the Shore. But he suggested and I loved the idea of someone having a real reindeer farm in this Christmas town!

Wouldn’t it be fun to meet the real Prancer and all the others who pull Santa’s sleigh? I would be there every day of the year.

“This world needs more imagination and more magic than ever during these times,” Gibbons said. “Anything to see our children smile, believe, and have hope. Anything to give our kids more to do … Prancer all the way,” he added. “If we believe it, we can achieve it.”

Shore Daily News lovers have got to be the smartest people on earth!

Julie Jones, of Cape Charles, said Parksley would be the ideal location for incorporating the trains and the library. She suggested a tea room in an old Victorian house, shops specializing in Nativities, Shore-themed ornaments, holiday sweaters for dogs, a bakery, and lighted trees.

I love fruitcake. That bakery could make those. And I want eggnog year-round, please.

Ann Williams had a slew of ideas. She suggested that a large landowner or several people who own adjacent parcels could donate with a tax write-off incentive to create the town, or it could be at the Industrial Park at the Melfa Airport, near the Chamber of Commerce office.

“Maybe a few people would be willing to donate a building; single-wide, tiny house, other movable small buildings,” Williams said. “Once those decisions are made and there are buildings to work with, possibly the building and trades classes and the high schools could help build, modify, etc.” the donations.

She said at some point, non-profits could sponsor days, weekends, or even weeks and get a percentage of the profits when they work. Williams also suggested a fee could be charged for each car at a drive-through experience, to help offset costs, or a free ticket for those who shopped.

“The Shore is so great at coming together to get things done,” Williams continued. “It would be fun to see if this could get some legs. Personally, my significant other is retiring from 35 years in banking and has built decks, houses, tiki bars, a crab shack, etc. He is going to need something to do to keep busy,” she added.

Sounds like someone just volunteered to me. Yippee!

     Please let me know when you all get together to do this. I want to pet a reindeer and I would love to own a little shop there and handle some of the publicity.