As long ago as 1950, members of the Camden Garden Club took it upon themselves to bring the joy of the holiday season to downtown Camden by filling each lamp post basket with seasonal greenery. Now, sixty seven years later, this dedicated group continues the tradition. In mid-October, the wrappers, twisters and pouffers, 25 in all, met at the home of team leader Karen Cease and got to work creating the brilliant red bows that adorn each wreath. The wrappers wound flocked ribbon around wooden templates designed by Cease’s husband, then passed them on to the next station where the twisters used florist wire to secure the 18 loops that make up each bow. The final “pouffing” involved skilled fingers pulling and twisting the loops into place to produce 98 perfectly stunning bows.

Bright and early on Wednesday, November 15, fresh Balsam wreaths were delivered to the American Legion Hall in Camden where garden club members and helpers attached a bow and a string of twinkling white lights to each one. As each wreath was finished, it was added to carefully arranged rows on the floor. When all the decorating was complete, the group formed a long snaking line through the hall and out into the parking lot and passed the wreaths, fire brigade style, outside. Camden Public Works took over and transported the wreaths to town, secured them to the lampposts, and illuminated the celebration that is Camden at Christmas.