SPECIAL GUESTS - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in East Tawas Friday on a horse-drawn carriage as the community opened the holiday season with a parade, caroling and the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. - Photo by John Morris

East Tawas rang in the holidays Friday
by John Morris

EAST TAWAS - Despite a bitterly cold wind, hundreds of residents and visitors gathered in downtown East Tawas Friday evening to herald the beginning of the Christmas season.

The celebration began at 6 p.m. with a parade, caroling and the 32nd annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. Under a full moon, temperatures Friday evening dipped to 25 degrees with southwest winds at 10 to 20 miles per hour.
The sounds of the season, combined with a fresh blanket of Thanksgiving snow, were fitting for the first of Santa’s several visits to the Tawases this year. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in East Tawas during the parade on a horse-drawn carriage.

Sponsored by the East Tawas Business Association, the parade was capped off with caroling and a tree lighting along the Tawas Bay waterfront at Harbor Park. Vocalist Dianne Knight of East Tawas led the gathering in a festive rendition of several Christmas carols. The carolers were accompanied by several members of the Tawas Community Concert Band.

HONORED GUESTS - Life-long East Tawas residents Ardis and Raymond Klinger were honored by the East Tawas Business Association as its “Family of the Year.” - Photo by John Morris

Organizers served hot chocolate, cookies and chestnuts roasting on an open fire to the carolers as East Tawas Mayor Bruce Bolen led a countdown to light the city’s Christmas tree, as well as several other festival holiday decorations at the park.

A new tradition also began Friday as the East Tawas Business Association honored life-long East Tawas residents Raymond and Ardis Klinger as its “Family of the Year.”

“Both were raised here as children and then married and raised their own seven children right in the city,” Mayor Bolen said in introducing the honored couple.

The Klingers are previous owners of Ray’s Shoes and Shoe Repair - commonly known as Klinger’s Shoe Store - that was located in downtown East Tawas. “Even now, at the ages of 93 and 87, they still do shoe repairs through their home,” Bolen said.

FESTIVE SOUNDS - Members of the Tawas Community Concert Band, including these three clarinetists, provided the musical backdrop to the Christmas caroling Friday. - Photo by John Morris

Raymond Klinger served on the East Tawas Fire Department for 28 years and was its fire chief for several of those years. Following in his footsteps on the fire department are two of his sons and one of his grandsons.

“Together, this family has dedicated 107 years of experience on the East Tawas Fire Department and they’re still going,” the mayor said. “With seven children, 22 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, the Klinger family has contributed so much to our community.

“They’ve served as board members and/or employees for the city and they are your neighbors, friends, church members, classmates, business owners, firefighters, nurses, teachers, contractors, engineers, gas men and plumbers.

“From Raymond to the newest great grandchild, the Klinger family is 87 strong and still growing. They have a long history with the City of East Tawas and are set to have a great future here as well.”

SANTA’S HELPERS - Santa and Mrs. Claus were brought to East Tawas Friday in a horse-drawn carriage during the annual parade. - Photo by John Morris

Raymond Klinger served on the East Tawas Fire Department for 28 years and was its fire chief for several of those years. Following in his footsteps on the fire department are two of his sons and one of his grandsons.

“Together, this family has dedicated 107 years of experience on the East Tawas Fire Department and they’re still going,” the mayor said. “With seven children, 22 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, the Klinger family has contributed so much to our community.

“They’ve served as board members and/or employees for the city and they are your neighbors, friends, church members, classmates, business owners, firefighters, nurses, teachers, contractors, engineers, gas men and plumbers.

“From Raymond to the newest great grandchild, the Klinger family is 87 strong and still growing. They have a long history with the City of East Tawas and are set to have a great future here as well.”