A thank you in lights

January 16, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Photo by Gordon Miller.

In the past week or so, a new lighted message has caught people’s eye on North Main Street near Dac Rowe Park. 

Here's the story behind it. 

After helping out with the Revitalizing Waterbury design committee's efforts to deck downtown storefronts with lighted garlands for the holidays, Kristin Kassis said she was inspired to thank her fellow volunteers working together on projects that spruce up the Waterbury landscape with flowers, lights, etc. But it went beyond that. 

“So many of us miss our families that live miles away, miss seeing our friends and neighbors and continue to sacrifice so that our community can stay as healthy as possible, so our kids can continue to go to school in person and so we can all continue to be together for many seasons to come,” Kassis said. “The Vermont Lights the Way sign is a celebration of our commitment to each other.” 

Gov. Phil Scott's call for lighting up the winter darkness hit that same note for her and the idea for the sign was born.

Metal fabricator Chris Eaton at Flywheel Industrial Arts in Montpelier created the piece making sure it would securely hold the lights Kassis added. Kassis’ husband Luke Shullenberger offered for his company Green Lantern Solar to pick up the tab.

The spot downtown near the banner frame along North Main Street seemed to be a perfect location to install it. 

Kassis said she hopes passersby enjoy the piece with the pandemic-inspired message that will get tucked away come spring to use in future years. 

She summed up with Gov. Scott's hopeful message: “I hope this effort will spread joy and hope, especially for our kids. Together, we can celebrate this season and remind each other that there are brighter days ahead.”