Page 9 - December 2022 News On 7

"THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING"
From: Light Up Marmora, A volunteer Group Dedicated to Creating Christmas Spirit through New Christmas Lights in the
Municipality
Contact: Mary Provost
Phone: 613-922-6180
Date: November 22,2022

For more than 30 years, Marmora resident Betty Ellis spent months creating a lighted Christmas Extravaganza for
thousands of visitors and now she is passing the torch.
Imagine dedicated weeks out of your life each year to set up more than 40,000 lights, nativity scenes, Santa figurines,
Christmas villages and candy canes to welcome more than 1000 people into your home each year? That’s called Christmas
spirit and Betty Ellis has spread more than her share over 3 decades. What started out as a few stands of lights and a few
cups of hot chocolate over homemade baking turned into 23 busloads of happy frolickers a night descending onto her
property and touring her home. A home where every room (yes, even the bathroom) was decorated with passion and true
Christmas spirit.
With 2 helpers, Betty, (now in her 80’s), started on September 1st each year to ensure her light display was ready for the
last Saturday in November. And while she loved meeting so many new friends and watching the sparkle in children’s eyes
as they toured her property, Betty’s cost for electricity and the shear set up logistics started to take its toll. Eventually she
knew she had to pull the plug but rather than selling off her decorations, she stored them and waited. She waited until the
right group of hard working, committed residents came along with the right cause and right mindset. That’s when she was
introduced to ‘Light Up Marmora’. A small group of very committed volunteers trying to raise monies to put Christmas
lights up in the village. What better group to donate her collection to?
Mary Provost, a member of the group says that “Betty’s collection will now continue to be appreciated by thousands of
residents and visitors to our community this year and the years to come. We are honoured to carry on her tradition.”
Provost says that Betty will be the one to pull the switch of the displays at their holiday celebration called Frolicking on
Forsyth on Thursday, December 1st from 4 – 8 pm. The event (just like Betty’s) is free and welcomes Christmas lovers of all
ages to come and enjoy free goodies donated by local business owners and community volunteers. “It’s impressive to have
a Christmas vintage collection so complete that shows the decades of investment and love of the season. We are truly
honoured by her generosity,” says Provost. For more information or to speak with Betty or Light Up Marmora volunteers,
please contact Mary Provost at 613-922-1680.

LIGHT UP MARMORA
What an amazing donation!
Thank you to the Cordova Community Circle (Shirley Pressick, Kelly Falls, Rebecca McGrath, Shelley Lowery, Miranda Falls
and Morgan Ellis) for the huge donation of $1100.00 to our Christmas Light Fund to Help “Light Up Marmora”
A lasagna drive through dinner on Nov 4th was held at the home of Kelly and Brad Falls. This generous donation is greatly
appreciate and I hope you enjoy the beautiful lights that will be shared by everyone.