Harmony's Christmas celebration mirrors days of old

Since the days when "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" joined the hit parade, the Harmony Fire Chiefs and their crews have led Glocester and the surrounding villages in a yearly Christmas tree lighting and visit from Santa Claus. As carols are sung and hot cocoa is served, Santa trades in his sleigh and arrives in Harmony on a gleaming fire truck with roaring sirens and flashing red lights that accent the jolly old fellow's crimson suit and snowy white beard.

Organized in 1924, the Harmony Fire District has been the center of public safety and the spirit of Christmas in this rural turnpike village for more than eighty years. Pvt. Bob Pierce, HFD volunteer since 1978 and member of a lifelong family here, cannot recall a time when the village did not gather at the Harmony Fire Department to light the holiday tree.

Milton Aldrich, whose brother, Charles, served as longtime chief and whose family has northwestern Rhode Island roots as wide and deep as the forests around the nearby Scituate Reservoir, recalls Christmas times under Chief Harrison Winsor in the 1950's that welcomed the young and young at heart, from Snake Hill to Sawmill and on toward the village of Chepachet.

However, on a recent Sunday afternoon, a new generation welcomed Santa Claus once again at the Harmony Fire Department. Planning for the annual Christmas tree lighting and visit from Santa Claus began back in August. Chief Pearson and his committee met in late summer and through the fall to marshal community resources and to check on business contributions.

Despite a dark economy, reports of generous support glimmered like the twinkling lights on the tree to be decorated on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Among those individual donors and corporate contributors who gave generously to bring Santa Claus, gifts, and refreshments to Harmony's children and families, and who made the lights on the Station's Christmas tree shimmer this season were the Pepsi Beverages Co., Dino's Park n' Shop, Benny's, Yacht Club Bottling Works, Dunkin' Donuts, Christine's Cottage Florist, Towne House Flowers and the Chief and Mrs. Pearson.

At 4 o'clock sharp that Sunday, Chief Pearson's elves were everywhere in the Harmony Fire Department garage. As Secretary Kim Barber, Lt. John Falco, and Private Bianca Mullen directed the final preparations, townsfolk flooded through the doors.

Ruth Pearson and Heather Farrell delighted small children at a special craft station inside the garage, where little ones celebrated the season by decorating and signing Christmas cards to be delivered to residents of local health facilities in honor of their many holidays shared among families and friends.

Beneath the yellow protective gear and fire hats neatly arrayed, childhood holiday fashion was on parade as Kenzee Silva, soon to be six years old, was dressed to celebrate the season in a shirt bearing the image of a green-faced Grinch. Kenzee announced that she was "very excited" to be attending the party.

As the Harmony Christ-mas tree lighting and stationhouse celebration drew to a close, a long line of children snaked through the garage, waiting to hop on Santa's lap to share a Christmas wish and receive a gift that was partially paid for through the generosity of the Harmony Child Care & Preschool.