Sun Finally Shines as ‘Hometown’ Holiday Festivities Wrap Up

Santa train arrives Yale

Santa and Mrs. Claus (top) officially kicked off the 2014 Christmas shopping season in Tunkhannock by lighting the borough Christmas tree on Dec. 5. Hundreds of area residents took advantage of the opportunity to ride a passenger train (above) with Santa and Mrs. Claus this weekend as part of ‘Christmas in Our Hometown.”

Above photos by Rick Hiduk and Laura Yale, respectively/Story by Rick Hiduk

Patrons of Tunkhannock’s “Christmas in Our Hometown” who held out till the last day were greeted with bountiful sunshine on Sunday, while those who were downtown on Friday and Saturday dealt with abundant sogginess. Hundreds lined up for one of three sold-out excursions on the Santa Claus Train today, and Tunkhannock High School was the place to be in the afternoon for the final matinee of “Santa’s Toast of the Town,” a variety show sponsored by the Tunkhannock Public Library.

Less that perfect weather – rain, sleet, wet snow or bitter cold – is nothing new to the annual ringing in of the holiday season in Tunkhannock. Nor does it keep people away from the event, which is coordinated by the Tunkhannock Business and Professionals Association (TPBA). In fact, the chilly rain, which began as a drizzle on Friday night and ended as wet snow flakes on Saturday evening, succeeded in pushing people inside, which is what shop and restaurant owners most want to see.

Members of churches and other nonprofit stood strong against the elements and dolled out beverages, snacks and Christmas cheer to grateful families, who stood in the rain to greet Santa and Mrs. Claus who, along with Tunkhannock Mayor Norman Ball and his wife, Peg, counted down to the lighting of the town Christmas tree in the yard of the Peoples Security Bank on Tioga Street.

Jeff Ruddell of Tunkhannock praised the patrons of Christmas in Our Hometown for braving the elements. “Even though the weather was bad, we again observed what great people our town has.”

The Kintner Guardian Lobby of the Dietrich Theater filled quickly after the tree lighting ceremony with people not only seeking refuge from the dampness but a staple holiday “comfort food.” The line was long for the annual Homemade Cookie Walk, proceeds from which benefit children’s programming at the theater, as supporters filled containers from a bevy of donated cookies. Children returned to the theater on Saturday morning to decorate cookies and create ornaments.

Up and down Tioga Street and along Bridge and Warren Streets, ‘Hometown’ guests ducked in and out of shops and filled eateries and pubs. The reflections of beautiful decorations in store windows shimmered in the wet, nearly vacant streets. An ice carver under a tent in front of Bridge Street Antiques drew a crowd of hardy spectators, as did dancers from Whipple’s Performing Arts Studio who performed both Friday and Saturday evenings in the window of Greenwood’s Furniture.

Passengers on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway trains that took families from Tunkhannock to Falls and back were gushing afterward on social media outlets. Saturday’s rain did not appear to have damped their spirits, and Sunday’s sunshine was greatly appreciated.

It was definitely worth the time, and I would do it again,” said Ashley Vosburg of Meshoppen, who enjoyed the excursion with family members on Sunday. “I had never been on a train before. It was fun.”

When the Wyoming County Kiwanis fair queen and some members of her court were asked, “What is the best part of ‘Christmas in Our Hometown?’” Fair Queen Hannah Ross, answered, “Can you choose just one?” Junior Fair Queen Alyssa Sickler added that she enjoys the overall “spirit” of the event. Junior Second Alternate Queen Madison Sickler said that she likes the way that the event brings the community together.

Rebecca Berry likes “the dancing in the window,” Members of the Trunk family cited the decorations, hot chocolate, and live nativity as some of the things they enjoy most.

This year, the popular live nativities were not presented due to the inclement weather, but each ‘Christmas in Our Hometown’ is destined to make its own memories. The event still managed to provide Christmas cheer for those who needed a little motivation and also likely served as the catalyst for a robust shopping season in downtown Tunkhannock.

Photos by Rick Hiduk (unless otherwise noted)

Eaton Baptist

Eaton Baptist Church members (from left) Kim Teeters, Yvette Hutchins, David V, Eliana Bricker, Kurt Bricker warmed hearts and bellies with heated citrus punch and cookies.

Trunk Richards

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa on Friday night are (from left) Liam Trunk, Landen Trunk, Stacey Trunk, Jesse Trunk, and Lilly Trunk of Factoryville and Ariona Richards and Lily Richards of Springville.

Fair Queens

Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair royalty who passed out candy canes and helped to welcome Santa Claus to Tunkhannock on Friday included (from left) Madison Sickler, Alyssa Sickler, and Hannah Ross.

clauses arriveClauses

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive via horse and wagon to light Tunkhannock’s Christmas tree.

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Santa welcomes the crowd to the festivities on Friday night.

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‘Hometown’ patrons with a sweet tooth flocked to the Dietrich Theater for the annual Homemade Cookie Walk.

Beagle interior

The Beagle Eatery was one of many restaurants filled to capacity in Tunkhannock on Friday night.

Berrys with trains

Enjoying a train display set up at Robinson’s Marshall Arts by the Endless Mountains Model Railroading club were (from left) Rebecca, Nadiya, and David Berry of Tunkhannock.

P&G Credit

As the rain picked up on Friday night, P&G Credit Union associates Lorraine Roseberry (left) and Cheryl Pasternak quickly gave away the rest of their cookies and wrapped up for the evening.

Whipples dancers

Rain couldn’t stop the dancers from Whipple’s Performing Arts Studio from performing. Nor could it prevent children from being mesmerized by their talents.

rau Mead

Former Tunkhannock resident Bob Rau (left) stopped into Eclectic Hearts Antiques to check in with Wyoming County Commissioner Judy Mead.

Manikins

Living manikins in the window of Something Blue Bridal Boutique included Devyn Saylor (laft) and Theresa MacNamara.

creekside

Julie Novak (left) of Creekside Gardens helps Harley Gaudet of Wayland, NY, bag her ornament made for the birds in her yard.

creekside kintner

Quinn Noone (standing) displays her bird food ornament that she made with help from Novak (left) and Sherry Kukuchka on Saturday. (Photo by Connie Kintner)

Fely Federico

Fely Wildersbin and Federico Guevara of Factoryville (formerly of the Philipines) were found making friends with a snowman in front of the Dietrich Theater.

ice carver

Ice Carver TJ Neary was protected from the rain but had to work fast to create a locomotive engine in above freezing temperatures on Friday night.

ice carving angie

The results of Neary’s efforts were still enjoyable to ‘Christmas in Our Hometown’ patrons on Saturday. (Photo by Angie Setters)

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Dietrich Crafts girls Ruhf

Girls Scouts were among the participants in a holiday workshop at the Dietrich Theater on Saturday morning where, among other activities, they had the opportunity to decorate cookies. (Photo by Jean Ruhf)

train ext passengers angie

An exchange of passengers of the Santa Claus train excursions from Tunkhannock to Falls. (Photo by Angie Setters)

train conductor angie

The conductor greets passengers. (Photo by Angie Setters)

train family ashley vosburg

Many families enjoyed the view of the Susquehanna River and the homes and farms along the route from Tunkhannock to Falls, including (from left) Keith Roberts and Elizabeth Search of Nicholson, Heaven Bieber of Noxen, and Brooke Melan of Meshoppen. (Photo by Ashley Vosburg)

train long view ashley

Passenger trains in Tunkhannock are a rare site, but photographer Ashley Vosburg snapped a shot on Saturday that seems timeless. See more photos at http://www.endlessmtnlifestyles.com/?p=2890.

 

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