I have been meaning to write this letter for years.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Better Middlebury Partnership and the leadership of Kathrine Torres and Kelly Flynn.

The gift they give the town by illuminating the Middlebury Falls through the Holiday season is the jewel in the crown. The light array is a quiet but powerful spectacle for our community. Lighting the falls is a tradition that goes back many years but over the past five or so years the dramatic effect of the lights are mesmerizing. It is best viewed after 5 p.m. until they turn off sometime around midnight. The falls are spectacular from all angles but the view from the Marble Works side is the most dramatic.

In a time of year when so much attention is pulling us in all directions and the darkness of the season can be oppressive, the impressive and intense colors of the flowing water is a testament to the light and hope of the holiday season. It is clear that this project has required vision, care and dedications and the results speak for themselves night after night.

If you have not been downtown Middlebury after dark, do yourself a favor and come downtown and witness the spectacular falls.

It takes a few minutes for the lights to go through their color cycle so plan to observe them for a while. When the falls turns blue and green together it is remarkable, then moments later they are ruby red. If you are having guests this holiday season make sure to treat them to our remarkable water falls in their full glory.

Thank you again to the Better Middlebury Partnership for continuing to invest is something that brings such shared joy. Thanks also, to all the property owners who support the Downtown Improvement District who’s collected funds make projects like this possible in our downtown.

Downtown Middlebury is looking great and feeling vibrant, an accomplishment that few downtowns in our region can boast. This is in great part due to the efforts of the Better Middlebury Partnership.

Bruce Baker, Middlebury