Dec 5, 2014 By Terry Snead 3 min read

It wasn’t so much the lighting of the holiday tree that took center stage in Bethel Park on Dec. 3, but the faces of children that glowed with the wonder of the Christmas season.

“I said ‘please’ and ‘thank you,'” said Ella Schall when asked what she might tell Santa Claus should he ask if the 6-year-old was a good girl or bad girl this year.

The Memorial Elementary School student and her parents, residents Erik and Darcie Schall, were among a crowd estimated at more than 200 gathered at the Bethel Park Community Center for the annual tree-lighting ceremony.

It was a night of firsts for some, including the Schalls, who were attending their first tree-lighting ceremony. It also would be the first time Ella would brave sitting on the lap of the jolly old elf, and present her case for a La La Loopsy toy.

Jack Allen also presided over the festivities for the first time as mayor.

“I feel great,” Allen said prior to the ceremony. “This caps off a year of firsts for me – first council meeting as mayor, first time speaking at the Memorial Day parade…”

Allen, who also serves as commander of American Legion Post 760 and is chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee, said he also performed a marriage for the first time this year, ending up with 14 in all.

It was a special phone call Allen received on stage Dec. 3 that created the most excitement, as he asked the children if they were ready for Santa to visit.

Among the first to sit under the tree on a sofa with Santa were Cooper, Lucy and Claire, respectively the 7-, 6- and 3-year-old children of residents Mike and Julie Dzanaj.

Mike Dzanaj said Cooper and Lucy are hoping to receive iPads from Santa Claus, while Claire wants baby dolls and coloring books.

Holiday music filled the auditorium throughout the evening event, presented by the Bethel Park High School Jazz Ensemble, the high school Symphonic Band and the Independence Middle School Singers.

Susan Dolinar, public works supervisor, said the 12-foot artificial tree was put up last weekend. The ceremony, a decades-long tradition, was moved indoors about five years ago. At one time, municipal crews would cut down a tree donated from the yard of a resident and hauled by municipal workers to the ceremony by flat-bed truck.

Also wishing the crowd holiday cheer was state Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, a native of Bethel Park.