Peters Township rings in season with slight change in scenery
2 min read
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Maddie Stepanovich shares a secret request with Santa Claus during the Peters Township Tree Lighting event.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Alex Owsiany shows off her “ugly Christmas sweater” prior to the start of festivities.
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Samantha and Lester Botkin get ready to turn on the tree lights outside Peters Township Public Library.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Ray Cygrymus leads the McMurray Elementary School choruses for a concert prior to the tree lighting and Santa Claus’ arrival.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
McMurray Elementary School students Emilie Angel, left, and Kylee Witmer chat before the start of the concert.
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Santa takes a selfie shortly after his arrival at Peters Township Public Library.
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Santa Claus greets Viviana Sirianni.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
McMurray Elementary School students sing inside Peters Township Public Library.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
“Anticipation … is keepin’ me waitin’” – Carly Simon
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Santa Claus is equipped for the 21st century.
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Santa Claus greets Atticus, left, and Rowan Silbaugh.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
McMurray Elementary School students sing to a packed Peters Township Public Library.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
The library’s upper floor provides a good view of proceedings downstairs.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
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Harry Funk/The Almanac
Ray Cygrymus gives his students a bit of nonmusical direction.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Mother Nature had the organizers of the Peters Township Tree Lighting scrambling this year.
A chilly Dec. 1 drizzle that ended up strengthening as the night progressed prompted the decision to move all of the event’s activities inside. And besides a somewhat snug fit, everything worked out well and hardly anyone got wet.
Well, someone did have to be in the rain to flick the switch to light the tree and other decorations outside of Peters Township Public Library. That honor went to young Lester and Samantha Botkin, who braved the elements to brighten the night.
The usual format for the annual event is a musical performance in front of the library entrance, followed by activities inside, featuring a visit by Santa Claus.
Not wanting to expose his school’s amplification system to the elements, McMurray Elementary music teacher Ray Cygrymus led an indoor concert by students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
Following the tree lighting, Santa arrived with his cellphone to take photos of his fans – some selfies, too – as he made his way to a comfy chair in which to sit as he listened to the Christmas wishes of many a good girl and boy.
The event, organized by staff members of the library and township Parks and Recreation Department, also featured crafts for kids and refreshments for everyone as a way to say: ‘Tis the season.
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