Christmas in the Park has come and gone at Gilman for the present, made possible by generous businesses and individuals, as well as the Gilman Community Betterment Association.

Opening Dec. 14 as night fell, Christmas in the Park saw free pizza along with cookies, cheese, and hot chocolate. 

With a full list of donors on the park building, pizza was donated by Nestle, hot chocolate by the Gilman Corner Store, cookies by 4-H and Sam’s Club, and cheese in turn by Gilman Cheese, Marathon Cheese, and Hansen’s IGA. Hay rides were made possible by Del Kroeplin and Scott Cappelle, while the park was decorated by Gilman High School students and teachers, along with workers from Superior Choice and many community members.

Slab wood for the bonfires was donated by Ray Luzinski, while Warren and Cheryl Dodge worked the pizza oven. John and Cindy Westaby contributed as well, while Gilman School contributed photos of scenes, Butch and Mary Podolak gave a big wreath, and Rick Riehle donated the Christmas tree, with Jim Czahor selling raffle tickets and soliciting donations.

With several area residents and businesses donating to park lights (including $1,000 by Gilman Cheese and $500 apiece by Gilman Corner Store and Romigs), other contributors to park lights were Jim and Patti Czahor, Angel Brost, Wayne Zastrow, Wally Leipart, Butch and Mary Podolak, Dan Anderson, Jay and Lynn Rosemeyer, the Bernie Van Den Heuvel family, John and Connie Agen, Jerry and Sandy Sromek, Roger and Marilyn Newman, Chris and Lynn Skabroud, Darrell and Jan Romig, Derrick and Trish Romig and family, Jason and Kendra Romig, Dawn Romig and family, and Del and Karen Kroeplin.

Christmas in the Park was festive and joyous, with children spending time with Santa and adults waiting to hear the raffle winners, and fireworks arriving at 7 p.m.

Raffle winners for Christmas in the Park are as follows:

Ron Sromek of Gilman - $2,000

Mike and Sherri Reiter of Chili - $1,000

Steve Tyznik of Lublin - $1,000

Scott Jenson of Medford - $1,000

Sue and Bill Breneman of Medford - $1,000

Teri Oberle of Gilman - $1,000

Sheila Andiuszkiewicz  of Gilman - $1,000

Gary Haas of Thorp - $500

Mary Riedel of Thorp - $500

Molly Knoll of Medford - $500

Lois and Dave Savidge of Merill - $500

Fletcher Rosemeyer of Thorp - $300

Cornell Car Quest of Cornell - $300

Richard Gravitt of Eau Claire - 300

George Koalmon of Medford - $200

Eric Jensen of Medford - $200

Ted Kane of Gilman - $200

Jarron Kulesa of Thorp - $100

Roger Newman of Gilman - $100

Arik Schneider of Cadott - $100

Kelly Webster of Gilman - $100

Sam Howard of Gilman - $100

Terry and Bev Pelot of Vesper - $100

Patti Lodahl of Boyd - $100

Darin Callahan of Gilman - $100

Scott Nichols of Gilman - $100

Jim Czahor of Gilman - $100