MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
November 26, 2025

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY – The Rotary Club of Cobourg Courtyard at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) was lit up for the holiday season last evening as an extension of the Town of Cobourg’s Christmas Magic.

Patients and their families were invited to join staff, physicians, midwives and volunteers as the new decorations and twinkling lights came to life, illuminating the space at the heart of the hospital with a festive glow.

For a number of years, thanks to a dedicated group of NHH Foundation volunteer ‘elves’, the Courtyard has been decorated each winter to brighten the days of patients, staff, volunteers and visitors to the hospital throughout the season. Earlier this year, these elves alerted the Foundation to their retirement – after years of hard work as Santa’s helpers, they were ready to hang up their tools and enjoy a well-deserved break.

It was at this time that the next generation stepped in – Rick Cromlish, son of long-time elf, Dave Cromlish, and Natasha Jacobs, daughter of long-time elf, Basil DeMattos, raised their hands to carry on the tradition their parents started.

As they started planning, they decided to take it one step further. Rick, an employee of the Town of Cobourg, helped to strike a new partnership and extend Cobourg’s popular outdoor light festival, Christmas Magic, to include the hospital as an additional location.

“On behalf of the Hospital, I want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a role in bringing the spirit of the holiday season to life at NHH again this year,” shares Susan Walsh, NHH President and CEO. “A heartfelt thank you to all of our former elves who began this special tradition – their years of service and the joy they brought to our hospital will always be remembered. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the NHH Foundation’s new volunteer team, and the Town of Cobourg’s dedicated Christmas Magic crew, who have proudly taken up this tradition and ensured that this cherished tradition continues to brighten the days of many. This is a beautiful display of community support for NHH and it is much appreciated.”

The bright and festive display includes pieces hand-crafted by former Courtyard elves intermingled with new additions and beautiful lights coordinated under the guidance of Jackie Chapman-Davis, Manager of Culture, Events, Tourism and Waterfront for the Town of Cobourg and supported by the hospital’s own Maintenance team. It will remain lit each evening into the new year.