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
-
-
Bullies beware
Picked on. Teased. Bullied.
However you want to say it, students harassing their peers in today’s schools has become a major social problem.
“It usually ends up in the school’s lap on Monday,” said assistant superintendent Tom Bell, of Grove City Area School District. -
Reins put on dogs, parents
Parents and pets will have to make some changes at Hunter Farm.
Parents rushing to get their kids to Grove City Little Eagles Football and Cheerleading practice, will have to slow down--or else. -
911 call results in lake search
A call to Mercer County 911 on Friday morning (Aug. 20) prompted a search of an older man who was apparently drowning with another person in Lake Wilhelm.
Around 9:05 a.m. Friday, 911 received a call from a man who kept yelling “help, help,” said Denny Winger, supervisor with the 911 center in Mercer.
“He said there were two in the water and they’d fallen off a boat in Lake Wilhelm,” Winger said.
“You could tell he was outside. There was a lot of background noise.” -
The bus stops here
Grove City was among the last stops for a bus tour that denounced “so-called pro-life Democrats” who voted for President Obama’s national health care bill in March.
Susan B. Anthony List stopped at Grove City Memorial Park on Monday (Aug. 16) along with a crowd of about 50 supporters and 10 protesters of its “Votes Have Consequences” tour. -
Creating a windstream of kindness across U.S.
Customers at Anchors Away, a convenience store, and Subway, both Stoneboro, were in for a treat Wednesday.
Representatives from Windstream--area phone, Internet and Dish Network providers--stopped in and surprised local customers with “random acts of kindness.”
“Really?” was a common response. -
ATV, motorcycle crashes have different endings
A Grove City man died in a motorcycle accident around 7 p.m. Sunday, and a Sandy Lake man was charged for crashing his ATV.
Louis J. Sharek, 61, crashed on North Liberty Road in Pine Township for unknown reasons, said state trooper Joseph Morris, of the Jackson Township barracks. -
Man’s mental state may play role in court
Mental illness may possibly be used as a defense for why a Harrisville man allegedly killed his friend last week.
“It’s just a shame,” said Melvin Booher, after a preliminary hearing in Slippery Rock on Wednesday for Thomas Nathan Smith, 49, who admitted to state police that he killed Clifford Stevenson, 56, on July 28.
Booher and his wife, Mary, of Leesburg, who is Stevenson’s niece, were among approximately 15 family members who came to the hearing. Others were mostly from the Grove City area. -
Harrisville man kills roommate
A Harrisville man has been charged with killing his house mate.
Thomas Nathan Smith, 49, of 4711 William Flynn Highway, was charged by state police in Butler County with criminal homicide, for shooting Clifford Stevenson, 56, in the right side of his head, between July 27 and 29. -
Expanding Earth
Two houses along Grant Street were razed in Grove City on Wednesday, so a new structure can be raised.
Earth Sun Moon Trading Company, 111 N. Center St., abuts 112 and 116 Grant, and the business plans to build a 9,000-square-foot addition once the debris is hauled away, said Nathan Depew, owner. -
Group formed to help young area professionals network
A new organization in town kicks off next week, with a goal of uniting young professionals and offering networking and social opportunities.
Grove City Young Professionals aims to encourage and support the young professional workers in the Grove City area. It will have its first gathering with a mixer at 6 p.m. Aug. 2 on the patio of Rachael’s Roadhouse, Route 19 in Mercer. - More Local News Headlines
-
Bullies beware
