by Merle Monahan
Contributing Writing
merlemonah@aol.com

IVOR
Ivor’s  ninth annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will be at the Ivor Municipal Building on Sunday, Dec. 4. Events will follow the same schedule as last year, with one exception; there will be two grand marshals.

At the top of the parade this year will be Thomas and Barbara Greene, both deacons of Ebenezer Baptist Church on Ivor Road, and both immensely dedicated to helping their neighbors in the Ivor community.

“For our grand marshals, we always try to choose those who are active in our community,” said Ivor Mayor Sandra Vick. “Thomas and Barbara are perfect examples of this.”

Indeed, the Greenes, married for 49 years and the parents of three children, are involved in many community activities, including the county’s Relay for Life, the church’s Bags of Hope food bank, and as committee members who helped educate and inform new customers of changes involving the Town of Ivor’s new water system. Additionally, both have served on the Ivor Medical Center’s board of directors.

“Whenever we see someone in the community who needs help, we try to be there,” said Thomas.   

The parade, which will assemble at the Pines of Ivor at 2 p.m. and start at 3 p.m., will travel down Main Street, turn onto Gale Avenue and then down Babb Drive. Passing the municipal building on Bell Avenue, it will travel down Rawls Drive and end back at the Pines.

“We already have a number of entrants lined up, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, rescue squads and fire departments, floats, marching bands, horses, and others,” said Vick, “but there is plenty of room for more.

She added that anyone wanting to enter should contact the town office at 859-6397.

Following the parade, there will be entertainment at the Municipal Building.

Then, beginning at 5 p.m., Brunswick stew will be served at the town building by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad. The cost for the dinner will be $5 per plate, or take-out, $8 per quart.

“Because of rising prices, the auxiliary is having to charge for the dinner,” Vick  said, “but it’ll be worth it. In previous years, we’ve had many compliments on their stew.”

The celebration will conclude with the lighting of the Cody Stallard Memorial Christmas Tree, after which, the crowd sings Christmas carols.

Vick noted that for many years, Ivor has been known as the “Village of Candlelight.”   

“We would like to encourage all residents of Ivor to place at least one lighted candle in a window and keep it burning throughout the holiday season,” she said.