CHRISTMAS STORY … Katie Grine, with help from Mayor Ed Kidston, read “The Christmas Humbugs.”
PHOTOS BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
VOLUNTEERING … Local kids volunteered their time to help serve the free-will donation cookie and hot chocolate stand.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Pioneer welcomed residents to the 9th Annual Team Tiffanie Tree Lighting at the downtown gazebo, marking an official start of the community’s holiday season.
Held Saturday, November 15, 2025, a variety of young and old neighbors, families, and friends joined together to celebrate and commemorate a good cause.
Festivities began at 6:00 p.m. with live entertainment, hot chocolate, and cookies for free-will donation as locals gathered for the ceremonial flipping of the switch to illuminate the town Christmas tree.
“I was thinking when I arrived here today,” begins Mayor Ed Kidston, “that it is kind of an irony that we are across the street from a building that we tore down.
“But even though that building is no longer there, there were so many memories built in that building that will never disappear.
“That’s something that we are doing here tonight – we are building a tradition, and memories, that we can hang on to forever. Unity, joy, love for one another, being neighborly, and joining the small town Pioneer.”
The tree, outfitted with 2,000 light bulbs installed by Village of Pioneer staff, will glow throughout the season.
Organizers extended a special thanks to Elgin Service Center for once again providing their crane truck to place the lighted skirt over the tree.
Katie Grine from the Williams County Public Library read a Christmas story to the community titled “The Christmas Humbugs.”
Connie Salisbury, mother of Tiffanie Salisbury Snider, stated: “Several years ago when I had asked them (The Village of Pioneer) if there would be a possibility of lighting this beautiful tree in our gazebo area, I had no idea what they were going to do. Lo and behold, if they didn’t come up with something unique!
“I really do appreciate this. This is a time when our community comes together to forget about all of the things that we may be experiencing and have a time where we could come together. Christmas seems like one of those times – even in the most difficult of times.
“I wish that each of you that have come tonight and had celebrated the life of my daughter, would have that light that she always showed.
“It was a sparkle that I cannot explain, except that when she walked into the room there was a light. The lights that are on the trees are a reminder of the light that Tiffanie brought to our community.”
Connie goes on to explain that the 2026 Team Tiffanie Tree Lighting will mark the 10th annual celebration.
“We are going to do a little more than what we normally do,” she says. Scheduled for November 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., she notes a greater event than ever had before.
Following the lighting, visitors were encouraged to support local businesses by staying in town for evening entertainment and food options. Live music at Logger’s Lounge and the Pioneer American Legion was offered to residents as well.
Residents were invited to come out, enjoy the festivities, and support a meaningful local cause while celebrating holiday spirit in Pioneer.