We were informed that the village would not be open tonight due to the fact that there was no power in town.  Imagine my surprise when I arrived in town and there were people waiting for the train and there were lights on Sterling Street.

 

 

Everyone pulled together to get enough lights on so that the village could be open.

 

Several local fire departments came and use their trucks to light up the streets.

 

So we were ready when the train steamed into town.  It was especially beautiful with the ice on everything. 

 

The bright lights from the fire trucks really lit things up.  It showed the ice really well.

 

This was our first year to host the North Pole Express but it's a year we'll never forget.  We had nice weather for the first two weekends, then a weekend of snow and bitter cold and finished off with an ice storm and no power.  It can only get better from here.

 

Well, the ice has melted a little bit and then it snowed.  It's beautiful but it can be a real bummer.  Like the fact that the Village of Ashley has no power.  So the train is coming to town but the village will not be open.  However we would like it if people could come uptown about 5:00 to greet the train and then be there when the train leaves.  Bring a candle with you because it'll be dark.  This is a first year that we'll never forget.  We've had beautiful weather, bitter cold weather and now no power due to ice.  I wonder what next year will bring. 

Due to the weather there will be no morning train today, Sunday, Dec 22, 2013.  The village will be open at 4:00 and the train will arrive at 5:00.  If there are any changes we will post it here.  Please be careful on the roads and we're sorry this has happened.  Mother Nature rules.

 

Ted Schulz was our "mayor" on the first weekend.  On Friday night he had a little girl approach him and ask if he was Santa.  He said that he was the mayor but that Santa was his younger brother.  On Sunday the same little girl showed up again.  She asked him if Santa was his brother and he replied that "yes, Santa is my younger brother"  Then she indicated that she wanted to whisper in his ear.  She told him what she wanted for Christmas and he said that Santa was right there and she should tell Santa what she wanted.  She replied "I already told him but I want you to remind him".  Gotta love those little believers.

 

I hope you're enjoying the snow.  Our elves certainly do.  Come out and join the fun, just be sure to dress warm.

 

 

Even Frosty writes a letter to Santa Claus.  Wonder what he asked for.

Today it started snowing when the train came into town.  And it kept snowing.  After the village closed a group of us went to Gus' Eatery for supper.  When we came out this is what the village looked like.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

 

If you've seen the movie "Polar Express" then you'll remember that the train stopped and picked up a boy on the way to the North Pole.  Well the North Pole Express does the same thing.  They picked up this boy on their way to Ashley.  He was waiting on the street in Carland.

 

 

The conductor got off the train and talked to him.

 

And then he decided to ride the train.

 

Our second weekend of the Village of Ashley's Country Christmas was another success.  I think the crowds were bigger than last weekend.  And, boy, was it cold.  If you come to Ashley be sure to dress as warm as possible.  Hopefully the weather will get a little warmer for the last two weekends. 

 

 

The Village of Ashley had a very successful first weekend and we're hoping that the next three weekends will be as wonderful.  The weather was cold but then, it is winter in Michigan.  Today there was a little period of mist but it didn't last long.  People had a great time and we would like to invite everyone to come and enjoy our town.  Check out the photo's of this first weekend by clicking on the North Pole tab at the top of the page.