BY: Keith S. Shikowitz, Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter
Over the holiday, someone broke the plexiglass shield that protected the nativity scene. But the figures inside were neither stolen nor touched, nor was the creche itself damaged. They were fine. The Knights of Columbus took them home for safekeeping while the creche was exposed to the elements for a day.
The Knights repaired the plexiglass the next day and put the figures back.
The police are investigating it, but have not determined whether this was deliberate or an accident, or what the motive might have been. They and the village are treating it seriously, though, in the concern that it was religiously motivated, even though we have no particular evidence of any motive.
We have been honored to host the creche in our Village Square for years and thank the Knights of Columbus and St. Ann’s Church for giving us that opportunity. We share their outrage that someone vandalized the creche, but we are warmed by the spirit of so many members of our community who immediately expressed strong support for the Church and offered to raise money to repair the damage. We thank the Knights of Columbus for repairing the plexiglass so quickly and restoring the creche in its full beauty to the Square.