Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Holiday feature combines past tradition with new location
Light show on display through holiday season
By Andrew Carranza
Allied News Staff Writer
Christmas lights are officially back on in Grove City.
Around 30 holiday-themed displays are shining brightly in Grove City Memorial Park for the first Christmas in the Park, a revamp of a former holiday tradition held at George Junior Republic.
“As someone who grew up in Grove City, I always remember going with my family to George Junior Republic to look at all the Christmas displays,” recalled Beth Black, executive director of Grove City Chamber of Commerce. “It was always a special tradition for us.”
But that tradition ended in the 1980s when GJR stopped hosting the annual event.
“When it went away, we felt a loss in the community,” Black said. “It wasn’t a tradition anymore.”
Until now, thanks to Black and the chamber, which decided to reinstate the event this year.
“We merged the original idea with something new,” she explained. “This is a new take on the old tradition and we hope this new event will continue in the future.”
Christmas in the Park has certainly struck a chord in the community, as many cars have gone through the park to view all the displays.
“Residents have really been thankful for bringing this back,” Black said. “It also brings in people from surrounding communities to view the displays, as well as visit our Grove City businesses.”
Black said she was blown away by the designs, which featured characters like Santa Claus, Christmas penguins, reindeer and, of course, Charlie Brown and the gang. The displays were created by various community businesses and individuals, according to Black.
“I was truly surprised at how creative the displays were,” she said. “Community members really put a lot of time into this. It really is heart-warming.”
The first place prize, worth $100, went to Microtel Inn and Suites, which incorporated a Charlie Brown-themed Christmas. Second place, worth $75 went to attorney Tedd Nesbit and his family for his Mercer County Courthouse-themed display. Tower Presbyterian Church placed third with its Christmas display, winning $50.
In addition to the Christmas light designs, eight antique signs are also on display, invoking memories of the former GJR tradition.
Grove City native Georgie Hodge donated the antique displays for Christmas in the Park, but noted that she was not 100-percent sure that they were the exact ones from GJR.
“I can’t confirm they are originally from GJR, but I’ve also had lots of people come up to me saying that they remembered the signs from their childhood,” she explained.
According to Hodge, she discovered the nostalgic signs while attending an antique mall near the West Virginia border in 2004.
“I immediately thought of GJR when I first saw them,” Hodge said. “I put them up in my yard and people driving by have also said the signs remind them of GJR.”
When Hodge heard about Christmas in the Park, she did not hesitate to offer the antique signs for the event.
“I’m really into Christmas and it’s absolutely wonderful to bring this back to Grove City,” she said.
Black said she hopes to continue Christmas in the Park in the future.
“It’s going to be bigger every year,” she predicted. “We had so many displays for the first year and we are excited to see the event grow.”
Published December 5, 2009 in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201A Erie St., Grove City.
- Local News
-
-
Blanketing others in love
People from all around the nation and the world are getting cozy, thanks to a local ministry.
Based out of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church, Heartstrings Ministry provides prayer blankets to people in need, including new mothers, cancer patients, orphans and many others.
Each handmade blanket is created by a member of the church, and is prayed over before being delivered. -
Former Cooper-Bessemer employees reunite
Former workers came from near and far to share their memories at the Cooper-Bessemer reunion Sunday.
The first attempt at getting former employees of the once major Grove City employer Cooper-Bessemer or Cooper-Cameron, was a great success. Nearly 250 people attended the event at Legacy Banquet and Conference Center, Grove City. -
Mercer looking golden after clean-up effort
Mercer is a cleaner place, following a special project by two Senior Ambassador Girl Scouts.
As their final project on the road to earn their Gold Award, Girl Scouting’s top honor, Makayla Neely and Jody Roberts organized and executed the “Healthy Earth--Healthy You” Clean Up Day on July 10 in Mercer. -
A dream of a duo
The “Matt and Anthony” duet has been going to stages across the U.S., including a stint last year on “America’s Got Talent” and in Grove City on Friday.
The song and dance act includes Matt Lucas, 24, a native of Grove City, and Anthony Morigerato, 25, a native of Albany, N.Y., who met at Marymount Manhattan (N.Y.) College in 2004 as roommates. -
WAF may make move to Springfield permanent
Wendell August Forge may be relocating to Springfield Township.
The forge’s Grove City location on Madison Avenue burned down in March. Although it was up and running again in a month, Wendell August wanted to rebuild again at its historic location.
But that vision changed.
“The deal-breaker with us was truly the fact that we don’t have the acreage we need to build what we need,” said Will Knecht, president and CEO. -
Stoneboro teen killed in crash
A 17-year-old Stoneboro girl died on Thursday.
Katie Lynn Gilmore, of 12 Beech St., died at 12:55 p.m. after her car crashed around noon Thursday on Route 845 in Stoneboro. -
Second Grimm brother to add to woodland park
Disabled veterans from around the area may soon be able to enjoy even more amenities at the Stanley Snyder Wildlife Park in Springfield Township.
Work on the park began in 2008 with the building of a fishing pond on post property adjacent to Brent Road.
A handicap accessible fishing pier and nature trail have since been added, and plans to build a pavilion on the property are in the works.
“I’m really amazed at the progress we’ve made in a short amount of time,” said project coordinator Ron Donlan. -
A little helping hand (and foot)
It’s summertime, and most people aren’t thinking about the cold months to come.
But at Little Feet Charities, the focus is always on the winter.
Based out of Mercer, Little Feet helps local children and families by providing them with food and clothing throughout the winter and gifts at Christmastime. -
Crowning glory
Jocelyn Gruber usually spends her summers like most high school students.
She has a job as a baby sitter, and, when she’s not working, she enjoys the warm weather and spending time with family and friends.
But this summer is different for Jocelyn.
She is busy doing paperwork, traveling around the state and preparing for one of the biggest days of her life.
On June 18, Jocelyn was crowned Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen America 2010, which has qualified her to represent the state for the national title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2011 at the end of summer. -
State police: Vice unit set up sting
A high-speed chase ended with the arrest of a Cochranton man in Worth Township on Friday.
Gary Consla, 63, was set up by vice units out of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop E in Erie on state Route 173 south of Interstate 80 in Wolf Creek Township, said trooper Troy Owen of the state police in Jackson Township. - More Local News Headlines
-
