‘Twas the Spirit of Christmas!
Photo illustration by Allison Pareis.
Heartland Sings officially has a tree in the 2023 Festival of Trees and Hermie is making an appearance in a big way!
Hermie is the official Heartland Sings mascot and can be seen prominently in our logo.
While brainstorming ideas for the tree, Allison Pareis (Dir of Marketing) asked Laura Burger (Dir of Development) if she could write a poem similar to ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but working in our mascot and Spirit of Christmas concerts. The wonderfully creative result, ‘Twas the Spirit of Christmas, can be read below.
We hope you enjoy the story of Hermie at Christmastime in Fort Wayne. Celebrate our Tenth Anniversary of the Spirit of Christmas concerts with Hermie by joining us downtown in the courthouse this December 15th, 16th, and 17th!
**Our thanks to Karl Behrens and BND Commercial for underwriting our Festival of Trees entry!
Thanks also goes out to Beth & Libby Perkins in assisting with decorating the tree and to Megan Smith for doing the vinyl logo work on our tree skirt!
Listen to ‘Twas the Spirit of Christmas, read by Stan Sollars, below:
‘Twas the Spirit of Christmas, by Laura Burger
‘Twas the Spirit of Christmas, and Hermie was there,
Proudly raising his eighth note up in the air.
He did this to show he was ready to sing
All the carols and songs that the season would bring.
The weekly rehearsals were well underway,
And you’d think they were planning to sing on Broadway.
The singers practiced long hours and they harmonized;
They wanted their patrons to be mesmerized.
But then came a rumble from outside the door;
It made such a racket, it made such a roar.
Hermie and the others ran over to see
What was making the sound? Really, what could it be?
“It’s the Heartland Sings Art-V™!” One yelled in surprise;
Everyone looked, but could not trust their eyes.
For Robert and Eric were both in the room,
One of them should be driving it, you would assume.
But as they peered closer, they saw with such glee,
Kris Kringle behind the wheel. How could this be?
The Heartland Sings team was amazed and confounded,
And each jumped a bit when his voice resounded:
“I can hear that singing is in your wheelhouse;
I’ll drive you myself to the gorgeous courthouse.”
They happily said “Yes!” on this cold winter eve,
And they gathered their things and got ready to leave.
They clambered aboard in their concert attire,
And off they all went—such a jubilant choir!
They gathered around the rotunda and sang,
Out into the atmosphere their voices rang.
Their caroling continued, with songs old and new;
With everyone hearing a favorite–or two.
The last note rang out and the patrons applauded,
In thanks for the music, the singers they lauded.
Then Hermie and everyone else went to see,
If St. Nick was still chilling in the Art-V™.
Sure enough, there he was, so they all loaded in,
As he greeted them with his best Christmastime grin.
“Where to next?” Santa cried. “Would you like a nightcap?”
“Why, to Henry’s,” they answered, “Do you need a map?
This gave him a laugh, made his cheeks become pink,
“I’m St. Nicholas,” he said. “Now, what do you think?”
Food, fun, and festivities went on quite late,
As everyone savored what they drank and ate.
“I fear I must go,” Santa said with a sigh,
And return to that thing that I drive in the sky.”
He laughed and he waved and gave Hermie a wink,
And then he was suddenly gone in a blink.
They all craned their necks as they gazed overhead,
Where they spotted St. Nick in his overfilled sled.
“Your show made my season!” he yelled with delight,
Before disappearing into the bright night.
“Thanks, Santa!” they yelled, and of course he could hear,
In spite of the noise of nine raucous reindeer.
They agreed this was truly the highest of praise,
And they’d remember this night the rest of their days!
Thanks to CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE
For the original: A Visit from St. Nicholas
