Page 82 - LIN.DECEMBERWEBPDF

CHRISTMASOperation SPIRIT:
A Naples Family Tradition

by Lois Bolin

Old Naples Historian

T he holiday season is a time where traditions come to out to shine and The City of
Naples Christmas Parade is one of those times that bring together children of all
ages in the spirit of community. It is a time where families teach the rituals and
traditions handed down throughout the generations.

This year’s Parade theme is very befitting for our Honorary Grand Marshall - make

that Marshalls- the Wynn Family, who have been making Christmas memories and

sharing traditions in our community since 1938, when Peter and Vida Wynn moved to

Naples, population 150. They purchased Bayview Inn, located in what is now the Crayton

Cove business district near the City Docks, where they also operated a grocery store and

restaurant. Their son,Don,stayed behind in Lakeland to run their ‘northern’family business.

Don Wynn answered the call of his country when Pearl Harbor was bombed. After the

war, he came to Naples to help his parents with the full intention of returning to central

Florida until he met Miss Annie Merle Echols. They raised five children, all who are still

living in Naples today, and left a lasting legacy with Wynn’s Market and Ace Sunshine

Hardware.

It’s been 75 years since December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, which propelled the United

States headlong into WWII. On December of 1945, the first Christmas after World War

II, was known as the greatest celebration in American History, where silk stockings were

scarce but the spirit of the holidays was not. For the first time in four years, colored lights 1963 PHOTO OF ANNE, LINDA WYNN SMITH AND TIM WYNN

were on in the nation's largest cities reflecting the hopes for our future knowing that our glittery ribbons left their magical trail on all who
troops were finally coming home to their families and those war plants would soon be passed by. Santa also made a special delivery of
making toys for Santa's sleigh. a new grill to the Center for their new tradition
of ‘Hamburger Hump Day’, where veterans and
Whether this is your first or 71st year to celebrate your Holiday or Christmas season VA staff gather together for a little lunch and
since WWII, your family traditions will keep the spirit of the season and the spirit of family laughter.
alive for generations to come.
OCS Tree Sponsors will receive a special treat
This is my 7th year to serve as coordinator of the Christmas Parade “theme, judges and this year - an E-Joy Thank You Party sponsored
award ceremony.”It will be my 3rd year to film the parade, which can be viewed on the City by EJ’s Bayfront Café, 469 Bayfront Place from 5
of Naples Comcast Channel 98 from 6 - 8 p.m., in honor of those men and women, who -7:30 p.m. Tree Sponsors will receive two tickets
answered their call to duty 75 years ago. You can also watch it online live streaming in HD to E-Joy, veterans are admitted for FREE and for
on the City ‘s TV webpage. (Sorry City Channel is still analog - but fun to watch - just like those who want to simply E-Joy on the spur of
in the old days.) the moment, the cost is $25 pp.

We thank Sandra and Reg Buxton, publisher of Life in Naples, for being the Grand To participate in Operation Christmas Spirit,
Prize Sponsor again this year along with filming sponsor Wayne Smith, Vietnam POW.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS SPIRIT visit www.operationchristmasspirit.net or call
Alabaster Snowball (aka Lois Bolin, Head Elf )

SWFL Veterans Alliance’s Operation Christmas Spirit will carry forth its budding 2nd at 239.594.2978.

year tradition of thanking local veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. Share your favorite Christmas or Holiday

Last year, veterans received live trees, stands, lights, baked goodies and poinsettias. Veteran tradition at napleshistorylady@gmail.com or on

families with special requests were granted gift cards. This year students from the Village FB @lifeinnaplesmagazine. We look forward to

School will make special ornaments and local elves will be signing cards to be placed in our seeing them. Until then, my elves and I wish you

veteran’s gift bags. much success and fulfillment with your traditions

The Naples Vet Center was filled with the holiday spirit thanks to my little elves, and hope that your best days of 2016 are your

Christine Sutherland and Diane van Parys, who left their own sparkle - literally - as special worst days of 2017.

82 Life in Naples | December 2016