Hopwood celebrates Light-up Night
Ten-year-old Tyler McGee beamed as he waited his turn to perform at Hopwood Village Project’s community Holiday Light-Up Night Saturday. “It’s going to be very fun, especially when they light up the tree and Santa passes out presents,’ smiled McGee, one of several fourth-grade students from Hutchinson Elementary School who were scheduled to play their flutaphones for the crowd.
“This is cool,’ said Zack Partyka, 9, who is spending his first year at Hutchinson Elementary and hadn’t participated in Light-Up Night before.
“It is fun,’ agreed Nick Polito, 10.
“It’s beautiful,’ commented Courtney Wells, 9.
“It’s great,’ said Craig Ready, 10.
All students of Mrs. Watson, the children were bundled up to protect themselves from the cold and the wind that swept through Hopwood Saturday afternoon. But the sun shone brightly on the crowd that gathered along Route 40 near the intersection of Hopwood-Fairchance Road in a plaza between Four-Star Pizza and Dr. Robert Bigham’s office.
Adrian Chesler of the Hopwood Village Project noted, “It’s a beautiful day. We have a lot of people here. They seem to keep coming.’
As he passed out hot chocolate to the children, Chesler explained Light-Up Night began in the afternoon in order to schedule more activities for the children before darkness fell and colder temperatures sent families home. Singing was followed by an appearance by Santa Claus and there would be more entertainment when the community Christmas tree was lit at 5 p.m. The festivities were scheduled to end at about 6 p.m.
“It turned out just the way we wanted it to,’ Chesler noted.
The Hopwood Village Project received help for Light-Up Night from seven Laurel Highlands High School students who are working on their senior project.
“They’re residents of Hopwood and doing it for their community as well as their senior project,’ said Chad Miller, a Laurel Highlands teacher who is coordinating the students’ work.
“That’s an added bonus,’ noted student Ben Siebart, who acted as master of ceremonies for the entertainment program. “It’s a great project for the community. We go to the Hopwood community meetings. This is good for the community, good for the kids. And the older citizens of the community get involved.’
The other students who participated in the event – including several whom dressed as Santa’s elves – included Evan McCann, Will Aston, Brie Johnson, Chelsea Harshman, Andrea Gesso and Jeff Gaddis.
The entertainment for Light-Up Night began with Hutchinson School Little Ones, Hopwood and Brownfield United Methodist Churches Choirs, Joy Moull, the Brownfield Children’s Choir and the Hutchinson Elementary School students.
After a short break, Santa Claus arrived on a Hopwood Volunteer Fire Department truck, escorted by the Laurel Highlands Junior High School Band playing, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.’
“We showed up to do community service,’ said Fred Kridle, band director. “And I don’t see any unhappy faces.’
Approximately 40 members – about half of the entire band – performed, accompanied by the majorettes.
Joe Biancardi, 12, who plays the clarinet, said he was having a good time.
“I like the snow and it’s cold and I like to play,’ he smiled.
Santa left the firetruck and took his chair where long lines of children waited patiently to see him. They included four-year-old Savannah Stull of Hopwood, who was accompanied by her mother Autumn Cole and grandmother Kim Pahula.
Stull said she asked Santa for a “Spiderman Web Blaster’ and agreed he was a nice guy. She dug into her bag of treats from Santa and enjoyed a piece of pink taffy.
Pahula said her granddaughter is excited about Christmas: “She can’t wait.’
Following Santa’s appearance, there would be more entertainment. Miller said Hopwood Girl Scouts were scheduled to encircle the community tree and sing “O Christmas Tree.’ Ed and Lisa Cupp would lead caroling. And then the Keithette Quarrick Drama and Music Team would present “Victory in Prayer,’ a memorial to the victims of Pearl Harbor and all wars. The memorial noted the 61st anniversary of the bombing of Pear Harbor.
Earlier, Chesler reported the community Christmas tree was donated by Heinbaugh’s Country Gifts and located in a lot owned by Dr. Robert Bigham. The tree was decorated by the Laurel Highlands students, who also prepared the snacks passed out by Santa Claus. The snacks were prepared at the General George Marshall Amvets Post 103 in Hopwood. Community volunteers placed the holiday street lights.
Lana Partyka, Zack’s mother, commented, “I think it’s great for the kids to come out and get excited about Christmas. I think it’s nice to do this in a small town where we can all get together.’