Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op manager Penny Monjeau, Candy Corner’s April Scuderi, co-op president Karen Costello and architect Joseph Vilardo work on a graham cracker mock-up of the planned gingerbread house.
Photo by Tim Rowland
TICONDEROGA | Architect Joseph Vilardo has designed some stunning homes up and down the Adirondack Coast, and there are few building materials in which he does not have fluency. But gingerbread was a stretch.
Still, it was Vilardo whom the Ticonderoga Natural Foods CoOp turned to when it was preparing its decorative Christmas entry for the annual holiday show at the Hancock House with a new medium: gingerbread.
“I design vacation homes built with everything from logs to concrete, but when the co-op asked me to help design a gingerbread house for kids to make, I said why not?” Vilardo said.
The food co-op now wants to attract local kids who will volunteer to put Vilardo’s plans into, not brick and mortar, but gingerbread and candy canes.
The Hancock House is famous for its annual Christmas open house featuring trees and other festive decorations produced by local organizations. This year the co-op was pleased to participate in the holiday tradition, but wanted to add a dimension, said manager Penny Monjeau. So, the co-op will be bringing in kids to build the gingerbread house per Vilardo’s design, with the help of other downtown businesses.
Rounding out the help with the delicious decorations will be Candy Corner, as the co-op works to unite the community with downtown businesses. Co-op president Karen Costello asked local residents “to join us for this fun even — come build a holiday house, which helps us build the community.”
Kids who want to participate are asked to register with the co-op by Saturday, Nov. 17. The gingerbread house will be built the following Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.
This is the 29th year that the Ticonderoga Historical Society has sponsored the Festival of Trees at the Hancock House. Any organization, nonprofit or individual is welcome to place a tree or holiday display within the for floors of the House. Typically, about 40 displays are available for viewing.
Decorations range from elaborate themes to simple, homespun trees to a Chanukah display. Individuals have placed memory trees and organizations often have trees that reflect their mission.
Notable among the trees each year is the Carillon Garden Club’s 12-foot tree that highlights the foyer of the House. Decorated by club member Susan Darrin, Historical Society members say this tree is always a delightful surprise and one that is talked about long after the holidays.
Also included in this year’s planned displays are the Ticonderoga Stamp Club, Torch Club, St. Mary’s School and many others. “We are particularly looking forward to the Ti Food Coop’s gingerbread house display,” said Diane O’Conner, managing director of the Hancock House.
Additional trees will focus on exhibits at the Hancock House. These include a Women’s Suffrage tree, WWI tree (with an accompanying display on the Christmas Truce)and Adirondack tree.
The Festival of Trees takes place from November 28 through December 29, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. A free community open house and reception will take place on Sunday, December 2 from 1 until 3 pm.
