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! (Of course, I’m talking about Saint Nick and not a long-lost relative.) 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 those in attendance were treated to an evening of live seasonal entertainment. It was enlightening to see the local folks gathering downtown to enjoy carriage rides, shop in the local stores and get their pictures taken with Santa.
The festivities continued on Saturday for the “Breakfast with Santa,” the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade and the “Christmas in the ‘Burg” event. The parade was once again a wonderful affair, as 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 really want to commend everyone involved — and especially Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful, Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce and the county’s department of recreation — for doing a terrific job of coordinating these special events; the organizations, agencies and individuals 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.
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 2017 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, 2017. 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 online 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 TUBACHRISTMAS concert will be held on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center. Admission to the concert is free, and the public is invited.
Additionally, all tuba and euphonium players are invited to play in the concert. The registration fee is $10 for players; registration begins at 5 p.m. in the GPAC, and rehearsal will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Musicians who play in TUBACHRISTMAS will have the opportunity to honor composers who embraced the tuba and euphonium, including the first TUBACHRISTMAS composer Alec Wilder. The concert will include traditional Christmas music arranged for these instruments.
The concert is a chance for musicians and audience members to reflect on and understand the heritage of instrumentalists, as well as the high performance standards and personal integrity and values established by musicians of the past.
For more information, contact Ronda DePriest, professor of instrumental music and director of the music program, at rdepries@waynesburg.edu or 724-852-3420.
Also, the Waynesburg University music program will present its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Roberts Chapel. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the public is invited.
The concert will feature the university’s Lamplighters Concert Choir and Symphonic Band.
The Lamplighters will present J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat.” The 30-minute choral work will feature a variety of soloists.
The Symphonic Band will present a medley of Christmas music, including classic and popular songs that have become synonymous with the Christmas season. The band will also perform songs from popular movies such as “The Polar Express,” “Frozen” and “The Theory of Everything.”
The Symphonic Band is directed by Ronda DePriest, professor of instrumental music and director of the music program.
A reception in the Marsh Center will follow the concert.
For more information, contact DePriest at 724-852-3420 or repries@waynesburg.edu.