Shortly after Tawsha Hisler moved her Waldoboro business from Washington Road to Friendship Street, she and her mother, Karen Hutchins, had a conversation about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
Hisler owns the Mom and Squawk Shop, a consignment clothing, toy and furniture store for children and young families.
Shortly after dark on Dec. 23 Hisler was outside her store at a table that was covered with unlit candles. At the back of the table stood 26 tall, red tapers, one for each of the 20 children and six school staff members who were killed at the school Dec. 14.
“We put together this idea to show that we care,” Hutchins said as her daughter lit the tapers.
After the red candles were kindled, Hisler lit a white taper and, with her 3-year-old son Sidney Hutchins, lit one of the small votive candles that covered the table.
She and Hutchins passed the tapers to members of the small group that had gathered in the Friendship Street sidewalk. As recorded hymns and Christmas songs played softly, each person took a turn, lighting a votive and carrying it out into the growing circle of light.
“This candle-lighting is for all those affected by the terrible tragedy in the small town of Newtown,” a sign in the Mom and Squawk Shop’s window read. “A deadly shooting took the lives of 20 young children and six amazing, brave teachers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.”
A card expressing similar sentiments was signed by many of the approximately 20 people who participated in the event.
