One sweet family tradition

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo by Gloria Austin
GATHER ROUND — Everyone gets a little help while decorating their Christmas gingerbread houses at the Green family event early in December. From left, Kaydance Nickerson, Molly Suitter, Brandi Polchies in back with Mason, Cathi Green with grandson, Tanner Biondi, Samantha Green with son, Chase Biondi, Robin Green with her son, Nick and Stacy Suitter with daughter, Ella.
By Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
    It’s been about 10 years since Robin Green and her sister, Susie Crovo had the idea of making gingerbread houses with their young children during the Christmas season. At the time, Green and her husband, Aaron had a son, Gabriel and Crovo and her husband, Peter had a daughter, Cori, who is now finishing college.
    The first year they invited a few other relatives to join in the event and since that early time, Green has added another son, Nick. This year their holiday tradition grew to include 14 youngsters with the addition of great nieces and nephews.
    The day begins around 10 a.m. when everyone meets at the local McDonalds for a late breakfast and the adults enjoy a good cup of coffee to prepare for the activity to come. After that, they travel to Green’s home on Hillview Avenue where all of the supplies have already been placed in festive dishes and literally cover the dining room table. The colorful containers are filled with M&Ms, peppermint candies, chocolate chips, gumdrops and candy canes.
    Green and Crovo have learned over the years how to streamline the event and eliminate some of the stress. Prior to the day they collect enough Houlton Farms Dairy half-pint milk cartons for the structures and they use graham crackers to cover them, instead of baking the traditional gingerbread.
    The youngsters spread frosting over the sides and place the crackers on to make the walls. With another coat of frosting they are ready to decorate with the candies.
    When asked by this reporter if they have Christmas music playing during the decorating, Cathi Green, Robin’s mother-in-law said with a laugh, “If there was music, no one would hear it. This is too loud an activity.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo by Gloria Austin
ALL IN THE FAMILY — 6-year-old Chase Biondi, left, from Pittfield, Vt. concentrates on decorating his gingerbread house with cousins, Nick, 7 and Gabriel Green, 10, right of Houlton. This tradition has been a part of their family’s Christmas season since they were very young. Gabriel’s didn’t last long; once it was finished he couldn’t resist the tasty treat.
    Until a couple of years ago Robin’s sister-in-law Samantha Green, who lives in Pittfield, Vt. always missed the family tradition. She and her family usually came for Thanksgiving, but after hearing about all the fun everyone was having they now come the first weekend in December to be a part of the get-together and to have an early Christmas with everyone.
    Samantha left the Houlton area in the late 1990s to attend Castleton State College in Vermont and like many college-age students couldn’t wait to move south. Needless to say, since becoming the mother of two sons she misses having family close by and being a part of all the activities. On a recent Facebook post, she said, “ I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wish I could move back to Houlton.”
    Now each year, not only the kids, but everyone in the family looks forward to meeting at McDonalds and participating in a tradition that is sure to continue for many years to come.