62-year-old wedding dress reborn in angelic way for Dec. 8 pageant

Gail Garrod, a New Jersey native now living in Milford, told her husband Charles it was time to get rid of her wedding dress.

Charles decided to talk with the producers of the Darkness Into Light Christmas play held annually at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Lewes. He has played the part of John the Baptist, the play’s narrator, for the past six years. All other characters are played by young children.

Producer Dixie Gilden and Eileen Snyder, who coordinates the wardrobe for the play’s many characters, said they would be happy to accept the dress. If it didn’t turn out to be useful for the play, they would send it to India for women who cannot afford wedding dresses.

Gilden said that one young girl saw the gown and said, “Wow. I want that one.” She tried it on and only a small part needed to be removed from the bottom of the gown.

Charles and Gail have wonderful memories of their wedding day 62 years ago, and he said it’s a wonderful feeling to see the gown in use again. 

St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes will hold Darkness into Light, its annual Christmas nativity pageant, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, in the parish life center. The cast is made up entirely of children, except for the part of John the Baptist, who serves as narrator. Pageant organizers feel that the children bring an extra joy to the telling of the Christmas story, and all are welcome to attend. The church is on Route 1, just north of the Five Points intersection. There is no charge for the show, but attendees are asked to bring a donation of canned food. The weather contingency date will be 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9.