Townscape means business, and beauty

In spite of what some people may believe, it’s not Santa’s little elves who help decorate our towns and villages around the holidays. In the case of the Christmas-time decorations that will soon morph the village of Millerton into a winter wonderland, the work is done by some very dedicated volunteers from Townscape. Townscape is the not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and support of its community. Ever since forming in 1998, it’s made some terrific changes in the village of Millerton and town of North East. It’s probably best known for decorating the village center during the holidays and for planting as many trees in town as it can afford during the year. It also plants flowers during springtime and helps with projects like replacing the old iron stair railing in front of what is now the Gilded Moon Framing building.Townscape depends on volunteer help and community donations to support its efforts. As its president, Jeanne Vanecko, explained, the group tries its hardest “to keep overhead as low as possible,” while getting the biggest bang for its buck. This year it will cost Townscape about $9,000 to decorate the village for the holidays — which will include stringing white lights around street trees as well as the big pine tree at the intersection of routes 22 and 44 and the large tree in Veterans Park. Numerous planters throughout the business district will also be lit. The group will also festoon focal points throughout Millerton with wreaths and garlands. To do all that, Townscape is seeking volunteers — whether for an hour or for a day — to help its members with their handiwork. Once the project is completed, not only will residents get to enjoy the results, but local businesses will benefit from the increased traffic the decorated village is sure to draw. There’s no question that decorating for the holidays helps with commerce, so for that alone the work is worth it.But it won’t be all work on decorating day. Townscape will provide hot cider and donuts to get everyone in a festive mood and to provide sustenance on what might turn out to be a chilly day.Not only will volunteers help with the details, they’ll add to the feeling of collaboration with their fellow citizens and contribute to that special sense of community for which Millerton is known. According to Vanecko, “having people volunteer for these events benefitting the entire community is a way of building the community,” which is as much a goal of Townscape’s as is sprucing up the town and village throughout the year.It’s true. That sense of camaraderie that volunteers experience is indeed something special — and it makes for fast work when there’s much to get done.So why not consider lending Townscape a hand this year? The group will meet at the Irondale Schoolhouse located at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail entrance on Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s sure to get all participants in the holiday mood. Not only that, it’s a great way to start off a season of giving — which is what the holidays should be all about. There’s no doubt that the end result promised by Townscape will be absolutely lovely. Certainly the twinkling lights and the draping garlands will serve as a notice to all that Millerton is a village worth visiting — during the holidays and beyond. And as all volunteers understand, Santa could use the help!