Downtown Draw: Family Tradition
Almost four decades ago, MaryAnn Pond began a beautiful family tradition. She’d bundle up her four boys (Scott, Bobby, Steve and David) and treat them to a magical evening Downtown. She recalls, “We’d have an early dinner at the most luxurious hotel, then walk around in the wonderful downtown lights. Lazarus had animated display windows – each with a different them… it was divine.”
The evening always capped off at The Nutcracker Ballet. It was something that her sons loved every year. Those boys are now adults – in fact, two are military veterans. The family still makes an annual trip to see The Nutcracker, now with another generation in tow.
As luck would have it, the Pond grandchildren include some females in the mix. Little girls are a whole new game for MaryAnn Pond. She notes, “The girls really can dress up, and they listen to the Nutcracker year-round… and they dance in ballet costumes.”
The boys didn’t do that? “NO.”
The whole clan can at least agree on the best scene: it involves a battle with King Rat where the Nutcracker emerges victorious… or perhaps it’s the dance of the snowflake fairies. With different choreography, dancers and props, the performance changes every year, but the Ponds will always be there.
What’s YOUR holiday tradition?
