Old-fashioned Christmas

SHAMOKIN - Downtown Shamokin was once again transformed into a winter wonderland and Christmas village Saturday as hundreds of people of all ages enjoyed various holiday traditions, including the annual Santa Parade, giving the jolly old elf their wish lists, listening to yuletide carols, taking horse-drawn carriage rides and purchasing seasonal gifts from an assortment of vendors.

The second annual Downtown Christmas, sponsored by the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, was even more successful than last year's highly-praised event in terms of attendance and activities. The area's first significant snowfall also added to the festive atmosphere, just like last year.

"The people make the event and there are a lot more people here this year," said Jeanne Shaffer, director of the arts and humanities council that also sponsors the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts Memorial Day weekend.

Shaffer said, "I am very pleased with the turnout. We have more activities and vendors available this year. All the planning is worth it when you see people support an event like this. I'm very pleased."

Shaffer pointed out the large crowd of people that filled the former Newberry Department Store, which served as the hub of activity for the event. Vendors sold their wares inside and outside the building, which contained 35 decorative Christmas trees sponsored by local businesses, organizations, families and individuals.

"This big building is jammed," Shaffer commented. "It's great to see pride back in downtown Shamokin. It makes me happy to be a Shamokinite and proud to live, work and serve the people of the Shamokin area."

Many of the 30 vendors inside the former Newberry building praised Shaffer and her committee for sponsoring community-oriented events in Shamokin.

"This is my first year here and we have a really nice crowd," said Barbara Metro, of Elysburg, who sold jewelry. "I didn't know what to anticipate, but I am pleasantly surprised by the turnout today."

Renee Snyder, of Coal Township, who operated a treats and craft stand at the event, was glad to see so many people at Downtown Christmas.

"This helps instill pride back into the community," she said.

Gloria Zielinskie, of Coal Township, who sold her popular old-time Shamokin memories prints and her new Edgewood Park print from a stand inside the Newberry building, also praised the council's efforts.

"Jeanne (Shaffer) does a fantastic job in promoting events to get people to shop in downtown Shamokin and also does a great job in restoring pride in our community," she said.

In addition to operating an arts studio and teaching art lessons at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Zielinskie and her family have also invested time and talent into renewing Shamokin's sense of community spirit. She and her family created several large Christmas cards that line Market Street and the Gateway to the Coal Region mural near the Cameron Bridge.

Sandy Winhofer, director of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, who was among a group of community leaders providing free hot chocolate throughout the festivities, praised the organizers of Downtown Christmas.

"The chamber appreciates all the hard work the arts and humanities council does in sponsoring an event like this that helps the downtown businesses."

Charitable effort

In addition to being a fun event for the community, Downtown Christmas was designed to help those in need. For 25 cents, those attending the event could vote for their favorite decorated Christmas tree. A portion of the proceeds benefited Manna for the Many food pantry, while the decorated trees will be given to local needy families.

The owners of the tree that collected the most votes will be awarded a cash prize.

Shaffer expressed her deep appreciation to Original Italian Pizza owner Joe Gallina for donating the use of the former Newberry building and to TLC Tree Farm in Hegins for donating the Christmas trees.

Santa, grinch and snow

In addition to the many vendors and Christmas trees adorning the center aisles of the building, an elf, a grinch and several live nativity characters spread holiday cheer to visitors.

The festivities began at 2 p.m. with the Santa parade organized by Sports Center owner Lee Doncheski. A Shamokin police cruiser led the procession that began on top of South Market Street and ended on East Independence Street. Among the parade participants were members of Shamokin Area High School Marching Band wearing Santa hats; floats from Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Overlook, Bill 95 FM radio station and AREA Services Ambulance; fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, and the always popular Shamokin Rotary Club Santa Sleigh hauling two female elves, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

With "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" blaring in the background, Santa and Mrs. Claus took pictures with children on the sleigh in front of Beverly's Flower Shop at 9 E. Independence St. The children received candy canes after telling the jolly couple what they wanted most for Christmas.

Hunter Bates, 6, of Shamokin, said it was good to visit Santa and asked him to bring him a Nintendo DS game for Christmas.

His mother, Janet Bates, was excited to see the snow.

"That tops it all off," she said. "I'm very happy we can have an event like this in Shamokin."

Dade Wilk, 6, of Coal Township, asked Santa for a computer for Christmas, while his 4-year-old sister, Nina Wilk, requested a pink Barbie camper.

"I really like the snow, too," Dade added.

"This is a very nice festival to have in town," said his father, John Wilk.

Wilk's wife, Katie, said, "This is great for the community. The kids really enjoy events like this."

Cody Bartholomew, 7, and his 5-year-old brother, Ryan, both of Shamokin, said they asked Santa to bring them a Nintendo DS game for Christmas. Their grandparents, Darrin and Lynnette Bartholomew, of Shamokin, expressed their appreciation for the event and noted Saturday's snowfall made it seem even more like Christmas.

"Shamokin needs more activities like this for the kids," said Darrin Batholomew.

Ice carver

Just outside the Fun Shop at Eighth and Independence streets, an ice carver from Sculpted Ice Works in Lakeville, created two sculptures while passersby watched. Carolers strolled the event throughout the day and holiday fiddle and drum music was provided by the Lowlander Highlanders.

Patrons also took horse-drawn carriage rides provided by K&K Carriage of Middleburg.

After stepping down from a horse-drawn carriage ride at Independence and Eighth streets, 3-year-old Olivia Kopitsky, of Shamokin, said she felt like a princess while riding in the carriage. Her mother, Suzy Kopitsky, also enjoyed the event.

"This is my first time here and everything is really nice," Suzy Kopitsky said. "I also love the snow because it makes it so pretty."

Jude Lazicki, 2, of Mount Carmel, had fun on his first carriage ride and enjoyed seeing the fire trucks during the parade.

His mother, Jennifer Lazicki, said the event was a great way to usher in the Christmas spirit.

"It's great to see the community come out and support an event like this, and the snow just adds to the atmosphere," she said.

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