A busy holiday weekend
…Ho ho ho! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and getting ready for that special visit from the jolly old fat man! (And no, I don’t mean your long-lost uncle Mortimer, I’m talking about Saint Nick.) I personally am expecting nothing more than a stocking full of coal this year, as I am sure my wife will be the first to tell anyone that I have not exactly been a good boy this year. But my wife and I are looking forward to celebrating another wonderful Christmas with our son Bryson and our dog Lexi, both who will no doubt be spoiled rotten.
So even though I probably made Santa’s “Naughty” list this year, I am still excited about the holiday season and I have to admit that even as I write this column I am filled with the Christmas spirit. And it’s all because I enjoyed quite a busy holiday schedule this past weekend.
It all started Friday night with the Holiday Open House in downtown Waynesburg, as my family and I were treated to an evening of live seasonal entertainment. It was enlightening to see the local folks gathering downtown to enjoy carriage rides, watch classic holiday movies, shop in the local stores and get their pictures taken with Santa.
The festivities continued on Saturday, as I made my way to the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade, in which folks gathered to witness a wide array of entertaining entries, from marching bands and dancing troupes to antique cars and colorful holiday floats.
Of course, the highlight of the parade once again was the very last entry, which was the carriage containing the VIP of the event, Santa Claus.
(I tried to have a chat with Santa, to make one last desperate plea to convince him that I really was a good boy this year, but my pleas went unheard. Perhaps he has been talking to my wife a little too much lately.)
I really want to commend Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful and the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce for doing a terrific job of coordinating these special events; the organizations did their best to keep the holiday spirit going and it was encouraging to see the many folks who did support the events and refuse to let cold weather dampen their holiday spirits.
I also want to acknowledge that there were quite a few other holiday events held in Greene County this past weekend that I simply could not physically attend, including the “Breakfast with Santa” at the fairgrounds and the annual “Light Up Night” in Carmichaels.
All in all, it was quite a festive way to kick off the holiday season. Big “Greene Thumbs” up for everyone and anyone who participated in any way to help make any or all of these special holiday events happen…
…Speaking of Christmas: I wanted to let you know about a couple of other different holiday-themed events that are happening soon.
The Humane Society of Greene County is selling its 2016 Humane Society Lottery Calendar. Each calendar has a three-digit number attached, along with wonderful pictures of some of the precious animals who have found their way to the local shelter’s care. For a $30 donation, this number will be your number from Jan. 1 until Dec. 31, 2016. If your number comes out straight in the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Evening Daily Number, you will win the amount of money shown on that day. The minimum prize each day is $30 and amounts are larger on holidays and weekends. This is a great Christmas gift idea for family members, co-workers and anyone who cares about animals and loves them.
Purchase the calendar on-line by going to the Humane Society’s website, www.greenepet.org, and go to the “Donate” banner at the top of the home page and click on “Buy A Calendar.” You can also stop by the shelter on Mondays, Wednesdays or Saturdays, from noon to 5 p.m., to purchase a calendar.
All of the proceeds from the purchase of the calendar will assist the Humane Society’s mission to provide shelter, safety and food for the orphaned and abused animals of Greene County, with the ultimate goal of placing them in loving forever homes.
For more info, check out the website or call the shelter at 724-627-9988.
I was also informed about two upcoming holiday events at Waynesburg University.
The university’s annual TUBACHRISTMAS concert will take place Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center on the university’s campus. The university has hosted a performance of the nationally known concert on campus for more than five years. Admission is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend.
All are welcome to participate in the concert as a performer. Interested tuba and baritone/euphonium players can register for a $10 fee on the day of the concert at 5 p.m. in the GPAC. Rehearsal will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. TUBACHRISTMAS merchandise will be available in the GPAC lobby.
The concert will feature a variety of Christmas carols, specially arranged by composer Alec Wilder to recognize the artistry of tuba music composers in the past.
Also, the university’s Department of Fine Arts and Music Program will present their annual Christmas concert, “A Concert of Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Roberts Chapel. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the public is invited. There is no reserved seating.
The Waynesburg University Lamplighters Concert Choir and Symphonic Band, as well as several Greene County high school instrumentalists, will perform arrangements of works such as “Amen, Go Tell It,” “O Holy Night,” “Three Noels” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Edward Powers, professor of theater at the university, will present a poetry reading as well.
Following the concert, the public is invited to visit the students and faculty at a reception in the Marsh Center.
For more information, contact Ronda DePriest at 724-852-3420 or repries@waynesburg.edu…