Mount Ephraim Kicks-Off the Holiday Season in Grand Fashion
Thursday, December 27, 2007
ACCEPTING AWARD - Santa & Mrs. Claus proudly accept the D.A.R.E. Sgt. Denny Kerper Memorial Award from the Kerper Family at this year's Christmas Parade. Santa & Mrs. Claus have donated their plaque to Jack & Sue Cain of the Spread Eagle Inn who will proudly display the award. From left are Doris Watson, sister to Denny; Tim Keper, Jo Anne Senft, sister to Denny, Kevin Kerper, Parade Chairman Bill Bates, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Taryn Kerper, and John Senft, brother-in-law to Denny.
Photos by John Lafferty III
MT. Ephraim Christmas Parade of Lights
By Bill Bates
NEWS Correspondent
On Saturday, December 15 the 13th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights was held in Mount Ephraim. There were over 39 emergency vehicles and town floats that participated in this year's parade that started in front of the John D. West Senior Housing Center and proceeded up Kings Highway where it turned onto Davis Avenue and then ended on Bell Road in front of the Bell Road Firehouse.
The parade that drove large crowds along Kings Highway lasted a little over an hour. Special appearances were made by the Haddonfield School of Dance, Nancy Mulford School of Dance, Mount Ephraim Celebrations Committee Float, and the R. W Kershaw School Band. Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped in front of the Mary Bray School, as they do each year, to light the town Christmas Tree. The lighting of the tree officially marks the start of the holiday season in Mount Ephraim.
The parade is hosted each year by the Mount Ephraim Fire Department (MEFD) and is supported by the many businesses and organizations in town. Thank you goes out to the following businesses and organizations that supported this year's parade: CABANA Water Ice Company, Spread Eagle Inn, Mount Ephraim Chrysler Dodge, Auto Shine Car Wash, Black Horse Diner, Budget Inn & Suites, Cold Star Inc; Windows "R" Us, Milano Funeral Home, Cabinet Works Corporation, Mount Ephraim Exxon, Heims Pure 
Food's Inc. of Gloucester City, Mulford Dance Studio, Bubba Dean's Boardwalk Grille, Fanelli Construction Inc; MCA Travel Inc; S. A. Conte Auto Repair Inc; MEPRI E.M.S. & MEPRI Banquet Hall, Mount Ephraim PTO, Mount Ephraim Rotary Club, and Mount Ephraim Democratic Association.
EXCITED WINNERS - Members from the Haddonfield School of Dance pose with their new trophy after winning 1st place for Best Appearing Dance Performance at the 13th Annual Parade of Lights in Mount Ephraim.
Following the parade, the participants and the community were invited back to the Bell Road Firehouse for an Open House were there was food, beverages, and the presentation of parade awards.
Best Appearing Fire Engine: 1st place - Westmont, 2nd place - Bellmawr Park, 3rd place - Pine Hill; Best Appearing Rescue/Utility: Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1; Best Appearing Ladder: West Berlin Fire Co; Best Appearing EMS: Gloucester Township; Best Appearing Float: "Cheers On Wheels" from Norristown, PA; Best Appearing Dance Performance: 1st Place - Haddonfield School of Dance, 2nd Place - Mulford Dance Studio; Special Judges Awards: Brooklawn Mini-Pumper and Magnolia Fire Dept; and the Chief James E. Sylvester & Deputy Chief John D. West Sr. Memorial Award for Best Appearing Overall went to the Pine Hill Fire Dept. Candy House.
The D.A.R.E. Sgt. Denny Kerper Memorial Award that is presented to an individual(s) or organization that continually assists the fire department during the annual Christmas Parade was presented to Santa & Mrs. Claus. These two "special guests" have been making spacial appearances for the Christmas Parades and the fire departments "Santa Around Town" parades for the past thirteen years.
D.A.R.E. Sgt. Denny Kerper was a life long resident of the borough of Mount Ephraim and one who was involved in many town activities throughout the years. Denny assisted the MEFD by organizing many of his fellow D.A.R.E. officers in decorating and participating in the annual parade for many years. Denny may have lost his battle to cancer, but his endless efforts and charming spirit will always remain with the members of the fire department for many years to come.
RECEIVING AWARD - From left are Parade Co-Chairman Brian Gilmore, a member of the Pine Hill Fire Department receiving the award, and Parade Chairman Bill Bates presenting the Chief Jim Sylvester & Deputy Chief John West Sr. Memorial Award - Best Appearing Overall.
Special thanks also goes out to the following members of the MEFD who helped organize and coordinate this year's parade; Leslie Gilmore, Donna Schepacarter, Laura Oehlert, Daniel Tokolish, Traci Parks, Katie Viall, Mark & Nikki Campanell, Jim & Thelma Bleattler, Candice Gavin, Ryan Holmes, and Nick D'Alonzo. Thank you also to the judges who continually assist each and every year and they are Mrs. Kitty Holmes, Mrs. Catherine Cain, Mrs. Robin Zettlemoyer, Mrs. Janet Greenwald and Mrs. JoAnn Gavin.
Parade Co-Chair & Deputy Chief Brian Gilmore said "On behalf of the members of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary, I want to thank all those who helped make this year's parade a success and hopes that everyone had a happy and safe holiday season."