Hundreds of people celebrated the beginning of the Christmas season in Charlestown’s Memorial Square. They gathered for the lighting of the island’s official Christmas tree, a broad palm, bedecked with lights. Premier Vance Amory addressed the attendees. His speech was buffeted by Christmas songs, community dances and other entertainment. Even Santa was there. The premier’s remarks were staid, but he told the crowd to look forward to a bright future. “I’m aware that things are not always as you’d like them to be,”he said. “We’ll have our times when the economy is not as buoyant as we would like.”He said 2013 has been a hard year, but he believes Nevis’ prospects will improve in 2014. “I want us all to prepare ourselves by being bearers of hope,”he said. During the Christmas season, he encouraged Nevisians to be kind to one another. “Those who may wish to sow seeds of disharmony will not find any succor in our community,”he said. The theme for the evening was “celebrating the joy and love of Christmas as one people.”Junior Minister Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams and Hon. Robelto Hector also delivered remarks. The array of performances from reflected the theme: Representatives of the Guyanese and Hispanic communities shared their cultures with the crowd, along with Nevisian groups such as the Boys Choir and the NEPAC Dancers. The event was the first of many leading up to Christmas in Nevis. In the week ahead, the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society will begin its annual holiday bazaar to raise money to preserve the island’s history. Gifts will be sold at the Trott House from Monday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Charlestown Methodist Church will host its yearly shopping extravaganza with 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event also includes food stalls featuring everything from barbecue to cake.
