Area residents find their own way to ring in new year
A quiet evening at home with loved ones, the joining with family and friends at a local club and a wedding among other activities are on tap for area residents as they welcome in the new year. First observed in Babylon about 4,000 years ago, the celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays.
The traditions of watching the famous ball drop at Times Square in New York, placing change on window sills to ensure a wealthy new year, the burning of Bayberry candles for good luck or the making of resolutions to have a healthier lifestyle will all be marked as the clock strikes midnight.
In past years, Rob Bennett, Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department first assistant chief, would be attending a party hosted by the department, but as this year draws to a close, he will be exchanging wedding vows in the Poconos when the new year begins.
The VFD annually conducted parties as a fund-raising activity, but found it had become a drain on resources when the number of attendees began to decline. “People worried about the DUI (driving under the influence) laws and just getting home safely,” said Bennett. “They found it was just better to stay at home.”
Phil Elias, owner of Phil’s Night Club in Dawson, is hoping for a good turnout for his annual holiday bash that will feature a Pittsburgh band, noisemakers and plenty of food and drink.
Elias said that with increasing police patrols and more stringent DUI laws, he is finding that partygoers are enlisting the aid of non-alcohol drinkers to return them to their respective homes.
“We get some people from Uniontown, but for the most part it is locals,” he said, adding that in most cases a designated driver is part of every group. “Everyone wants to get home safe.”
Those providing shuttle services, said Elias, will be treated to free coffee and pop throughout the evening at his establishment.
Connellsville City clerk David Pinkosky and his fianc?e, Amanda Thomas, were considering joining other family members and friends in Pittsburgh where free concerts were being held at Station Square rather than attending a party being hosted by other family members.
“There’s never a shortage of places to go, because she has a large family,” said Pinkosky.
Dora Dykun, an employee at the Brownfield Community Center in Lower Tyrone Township, said she will opt for a quiet evening at home with her boyfriend rather than attend the annual New Year’s Eve party at the center.
The center celebration will include music and food, she added.
The Morrell VFD is offering a different sort of activity to celebrate the arrival of the new year – bingo.
“We held one last year and drew over 330,” said Jim Daugherty, department president.
Daugherty said the event would help defray costs associated with the recent equipment and land purchases made by the department.
“We’ve become more than just a fire department for the community,” he said. “We’re sort of the gathering place.”
The department will provide light refreshments for those in attendance, added Daugherty.
Bill Reahard, treasurer for the McClellandtown VFD, said the organization will be hosting a party that will include music and food.
The department routinely holds public events, but the New Year’s Eve celebration is the first to be held in more than 20 years. “We’ve sold over a 100 advance tickets, so we should have a good turnout,” said Reahard.
Whatever the location choice selected to bring in the New Year, said Cpl. Greg Keefer of the Uniontown state police barracks, “don’t drink and drive.”
“We want everyone to safely arrive at their destination,” he said.
Troopers will be patrolling the local highways, including Routes 119 and 40, where more accidents tend to occur, added Keefer.
Over the three-day Christmas holiday, 105 crashes were reported; officers issued seven DUI and 96 other driving related citations throughout Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
“We expect similar numbers during the New Year’s weekend,” said Keefer.
Connellsville police Chief Stephen Cooper said on-duty officers will conduct routine patrols throughout the city.
“I really don’t expect any unusual problems,” he said.
While most will be celebrating the holiday, many, said Dr. Mark Waters, Highlands Hospital Emergency Room physician, will suffer depression due to loved ones dying during the year or another tragic event taking place.
“We do see an increase in the volume of patients who are depressed or have mental health concerns,” he said. “This is the time of year that seems to get them down.
“They are the ones without families and it is very hard for them.”
The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT), meanwhile, is cautioning drivers along with those hosting parties where alcohol will be served to be responsible.
“As most celebrations include the serving of alcohol to guests, it is important to keep safety in mind,” said Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer for District 12. “Drinking and driving after attending a party can result in a deadly mixture.”
Ofsanik said to set rules when hosting a party and never allow underage drinking, monitor designated drivers to assure their ability to drive, take the keys from those that have had too much to drink and remind those leaving from the party to use their seat belts.