A Riley Home Christmas

Brigette Jones from the Riley Home spoke to Kiwanis. She brought books and told history about J.W. Riley’s friend Will Vawter. Will was much younger than Riley but Riley met him when he moved to Greenfield as a young boy. Riley, a sign painter himself, noticed Will’s artistic talent and was very impressed. Will eventually did illustrations for some of Riley’s books. Will was born in 1871 in West Virginia but moved to Greenfield when he was six years old. He loved to paint and was a self taught artist. He did magazine illustration and therefore was not a starving artist. He became interested in oil painting and painted in an impressionistic style using a palette knife which applied the paint thickly to the canvas. He eventually moved to Brown County to join a colony of artists there. Today Will’s paintings are valued at over $10,000 each and some have sold for more. Will Vawter is buried in Park Cemetery.


Gwen Betor from the Riley Home also invited the public to “A Storybook Christmas at the Riley Home 1863” to be Saturday, December 4, and Saturday, December 11 with tours from 5:00-8:00 PM. Storytellers in period costume will tell tales of Riley’s boyhood chums & their adventures. Entertainers will provide Christmas music of the era. Contact Parks & Recreation for registration. Cost is $4 per adult and $1.25 per child.

Christmas Festival

Brian Mason spoke to Kiwanis about the 2010 Christmas Festival of Lights. The parade and festival have been part of downtown Greenfield for eight years, starting in 2003 and originally sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The festival has grown over the years and after the kickoff parade on December 3, 2010, there will be a whole week of activities. Added this year is “Breakfast with Santa and Friends” to be held at the American Legion. Some of the friends are Sponge Bob and Cinderella plus some surprises. Tickets will be $10 and only a limited number of seats are available so plan and purchase tickets early. Tickets are available at the Chamber Office.

The theme this year for the parade and planter décor is “Story Book”. Twenty-five of the downtown planters are available for groups to decorate.

Jaycie Phelps will be featured as the Parade Leader and the parade ends with the opening of the Santa House (sponsored by Kiwanis). Part of the week celebration will include Wilkerson’s Dance studio presentation of the Nutcracker and the Community Choir and Band show to be on Sunday at Park Chapel. Watch for added events to be announced. Check the Hello Hancock community calendar or check http://www.greenfieldchristmasfest.com/.