Retired “Elves” Integral to Wonderland’s Success
Each year, there is a group of “elves” that are retired from their day jobs and use their time to assist in the creation of the Rotary Winter Wonderland light display at Wildwood Park and Zoo.
“Dale Smith, John Wing, Phil Phillips, Mary Treichel and Roy Covert have been dedicated to this project since we started 11 years ago,” said Al Nystrom, Project Co-Chair. “Joe Humphrey and Joe Policarpo also spend many summer evenings in our workshop this year.”
He added that Covert in particular lives and breathes Winter Wonderland, helping manage the park on 34 of the 36 nights they were open last year in addition to all his work in the “off-season”.
“I have never seen anyone work so tirelessly, and humbly, on a project,” he said.
The group is involved in all phases of the Rotary Winter Wonderland project. In the winter, they are testing lights before placing them into storage. In the spring and summer, they work every Monday night to repair and build new displays. In the fall, they are at the park several times per week to help organize and build the display. There is also a separate group of Senior Elves that meet every Monday during the season to haul food donations to the pantries.
“I don’t think Winter Wonderland would exist without the efforts of this group,” said Ben Lee, project organizer.
“These volunteers are the unsung heroes of Rotary Winter Wonderland,” said Nystrom. “They do the work behind the scenes that make Rotary Winter Wonderland shine.”
In order for the project to continue, Rotary needs to add to this group of volunteers. Contact them through Facebook or their website if interested in getting involved.
