Christmas holiday event stands out as 2021 accomplishment in Dennison

DENNISON — Mayor Greg DiDonato highlighted 2021 accomplishments in the village at Thursday's council meeting, with the Light Up Dennison and Downtown Cruise on Nov. 28 drawing special praise.

During the holiday event, downtown businesses had their windows and/or exteriors decorated with lights and displays, the Park Christian Church choir provided Christmas music and visitors could see the lights from a miniature train or cruise the streets in their vehicles.

"It was really a great thing for the village of Dennison," DiDonato said. "It was needed during the pandemic, a little bit of a boost, a lot of enjoyment."

He added, "Hats off to the village of Dennison. Not only did our off-duty policemen, firemen donate their time, our street workers came out. Everybody participated. Not a lot of towns can say they can get everybody together like that. It took a lot of volunteers.

"We showed a lot of pride, we showed a lot of class with that event."

Councilwoman Tracie Bolitho said one of her neighbors, who recently moved to Dennison, was in awe of the event.

"She said she was never so happy she picked Mayberry to live," Bolitho said.

Wendy Zucal, executive director of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, told council that out-of-town visitors who came to ride the Polar Express excursion train were impressed by the lights, saying "what a beautiful Hallmark community we have. It really added to the entire thing."

This year's Light Up Dennison event will be held on Nov. 27. 

DiDonato noted other accomplishments in his report, including:

• Raising funds to build a new fire garage.

• Raising funds to refinish the floors for the third floor auditorium in the municipal building.

• $276,000 in paving of streets and alleys.

• Purchased a 2021 Ford Explorer police patrol car and a 2021 fire department first responder vehicle.

• Paving of the Thornwood Park shelter house parking lot.

• Demolished seven houses and two garages, and three new houses were built in the village.

• Opening of the Pullman Car Bed and Breakfast at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum.

• Added Mill and Union townships and the village of Midvale to the fire contract and ambulance coalition.

• Collected 8.1 tons of items during the spring cleanup event. 

• Spent $30,000 to fix six storm drains throughout the village.