Eastpoint honors reason for the season
The children of Eastpoint got a double delight Friday, with a huge festival parade followed by a visit from Santa Claus at the firehouse.
For the first time in several years, Santa’s visit was arranged by Chief Deputy Cliff Carroll from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. For many seasons, Rex Pennycuff had handled those arrangements but this year he has been bouncing back from illness.
The parade was marked by steady reminders of the Nativity in the floats, as well as the usually showering of candy from them.
At the firehouse, children and their families enjoyed a visit with Santa, and hot dogs, hot chocolate and chips.
Dottye Thornburg, who has for years organized the event, said that while businesses and individuals were generous, the growth of holiday events throughout the county has had an effect on donations being down in Eastpoint.
Still, a benefactor made up the difference so all the children got a toy of their choosing.
In addition, several leftover wrapped gifts left over from the Jingle at the Jail the night before were also handed out, making for a very merry Christmas.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.