Sunny skies, warm weather accompanies the launch of Warwick's Home for the Holidays celebration

Warwick — With blue skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, the Warwick Merchant Guild could not have asked for a better day to launch the annual celebration of “Home for the Holidays.” On Sunday, Nov. 20, Warwick’s downtown merchants welcomed everyone to the opening festivities for the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. The all-day celebration was planned to set the mood for upcoming holidays including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas. Visitors and downtown shoppers smiled and applauded as members of the Warwick Valley Chorale continued their tradition of walking about the Village of Warwick, entering or stopping in front of shops and restaurants and singing both religious and secular Christmas songs. Many of the shops, decorated for the occasion, served refreshments to visitors and were generally crowded. Some held special events. Frazzleberries gift shop, for example, hosted Nancy Schluter, a retail sales representative for Byers’ Choice who was on hand with a display of The Carolers, the company’s handcrafted Christmas tradition. Grateful for the spring-like weather, the Warwick Farmers Market extended its season to accommodate Thanksgiving Day shoppers. The traditional Angle Tree was also set up on Main Street between Akin’s Drug Store and Newhard’s Gift Shop. When fully decorated each “angel” on the tree will identify a senior or a child by age group and gender. Pick out an “angel,” purchase a small gift and drop it off at Track 7 Postal Center, 5 First St. The donated gifts will then be distributed to local area seniors and children selected by the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is also accepting non-perishable food gifts this year. Co-chairs for the Home for the Holidays celebration were Debbie Iurato, treasurer of the Guild and co-owner of Peck’s Wines and Spirits and Mary Beth Schlichting, past president of the Guild and co-owner of Frazzleberries. “We are thankful for this beautiful day that put everyone in a good mood and in the holiday spirit,” said Schlichting, “And we are confident that the residents of Warwick will support our merchants and shop locally this holiday season.”