2016 Christmas & New Year's Guide

Christmas & New Years ' Guide Broug Brought to you by b the C Chester County Pres Press D b 7, 7 December 2016

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Oxford shines during joyful Country Christmas celebration

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The streets of Oxford were filled with Christmas cheer last Friday night as friends and neighbors gathered for the annual Oxford Country Christmas celebration that included carriage rides, strolling carolers, plenty of children’s activities, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.

“What a great night tonight,” Mayor Geoff Henry commented just moments before he flipped the switch to light up the town’s Christmas tree. The Grinch— that bad banana who has garlic in his soul—promptly turned the lights off, but Henry saved the Christmas celebration by chasing away the heel and turning the tree lights back on.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

The Oxford Presbyterian Church staged a live Nativity for the Oxford Country Christmas on Dec. 2.

Oxford’s small town charm is on full display during the annual Country Christmas event, and the sights and

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sounds of the season were everywhere.

The Oxford Presbyterian Church staged, for the second year in a row, a live Nativity

on The Green, a nice reminder of the real reason for the Christmas season. Buddy Continued on Page 6

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Continued from Page 4

the Elf was outside Wholly Grounds, congratulating the shop on having the best coffee in the world. Children got to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus. After arriving in town on a fire truck, Santa posed for pictures with kids at Oxford Odds & Ends.

Children enjoyed rides up and down Third Street on a train called the Funtastix Express, while families took carriage rides around town.

For people looking to enjoy some food or a glass of wine, the Sawmill Grill and Flickerwood Wine Cellars were popular spots. Shops like the Candy Case, the Outback Trading Company, and Millstone Jewelers helped those looking to get a little holiday shopping accomplished.

At the Oxford Arts Alliance, visitors could choose from the wide variety of

Savannah Kimes, Max Kimes, and Elise Kimes are pictured with The Grinch and Olaf.

artwork that was available in the artisan gift shop.

The Christmas Shop was once again open this year. Flossi Prewitt, the chairperson of the Neighborhood Services Center’s thrift shop, explained that items are donated to the thrift shop throughout the year. The Christmas items are sold at the Christmas Shop that is set up each holiday season, with

The Bethany Presbyterian Church is planning a live Nativity at the church for Fri., Dec. 16 and Sat., Dec. 17.

all the proceeds going to benefit the Neighborhood Services Center. Prewitt said that the goal this year is to raise $6,000 at the Christmas Shop.

Singer Jamie Marie led the crowd through a selection of Christmas favorites, concluding the set with a gleeful “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.” Children really enjoyed the “Frozen” favorite, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”

The stores were beautifully decorated to welcome the large crowd that turned out for the event.

Randy Grace, a borough council member, was eager for the Maroon Hornet, one of Oxford’s newest businesses, to be open for its first Country Christmas.

Customers of all ages were perusing the selection of Captain America, Star Wars, Walking Dead, and Batman comic books.

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Oxford residents Brad and Ryan Berman do a little shopping at the Christmas Shop.

Buddy the Elf congratulated Wholly Grounds for having the best coffee in the world.

Santa Claus took pictures with children throughout the evening at Oxford Odds & Ends.

“This is my favorite First Friday of the year,” Grace said, explaining that he likes to see families coming together for the Christmas celebration in a small town.

“It brings it back to what Christmas is all about.”

Many different businesses and individuals contributed to the Country Christmas.

Henry thanked the Oxford Community

Enhancements organization for donating the Christmas lights for the lamp posts.

The donation was made in memory of Oxford Community Enhancements founder Buddy McCoury. Henry also thanked Oatman Tree Service for decorating the town Christmas tree.

Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) once again took the lead in planning the Country Christmas celebration. A few

of the sponsors for Oxford Country Christmas included the chiropractic services of Dr. Douglas Fasick and Dr. Andrew Rickard, Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Ira Binder, Attorney at Law, Herr Foods, Oxford Area Senior Center, Oxford Feed & Lumber, and Servpro.

T L

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Photos (6) by Steven Hoffman

Organizations in the community like the Oxford Little League set up tables at the Country Christmas. Little League president Scott Towey was spreading the word that online registration for the 2017 spring season is now underway, with information about upcoming walkin registration available on the Oxford Little League’s Facebook page.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus

By John Chambless Staff Writer A fire emergency forced Santa and Mrs. Claus to hurry up and get out of the fire truck they were using to ride through West Grove on the evening of Dec. 1, but the crowd of children and parents who eagerly greeted their arrival couldn’t have been happier.

Just before Santa’s arrival at 6:30 p.m., the fire siren sounded in West Grove, causing a last-minute change of plans, but Santa and Mrs. Claus warmly greeted their young admirers in front of the West Grove Library and took several children by the hand for a short walk to The Garage Community and Youth Center, where a cozy room was set up for them.

Settling into two comfortable chairs, Santa and his wife warmly greeted a long line of children that stretched out the back door of the youth center. While they were waiting, families could enjoy cookies and popcorn. Youth from the center were on hand to see Santa’s arrival as well, and even West Grove Police officers couldn’t resist getting a quick photo with the celebrity visitors.

While the annual Christmas tree lighting was skipped due to Santa’s quick arrival, the evening was a big success, judging from the beaming smiles of Santa’s youngest fans.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

Photos (7) by John Chambless

Santa and Mrs. Claus walked with families to the Garage Community and Youth Center in West Grove.

Santa steps out of the West Grove Fire Company truck on Dec. 1.

A girl gives her carefully prepared wish list to Santa.

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arrive in West Grove

A father takes pictures at the Dec. 1 event.

West Grove Police Chief Michael King, along with officers Justin Fonock and Joseph Cooper, got into the holiday spirit as well.

Treats were served to a long line of families waiting to see Santa on Dec. 1.

Families were eager to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

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Kennett Square Holiday

This youngster enjoyed her time in the parade.

The Kennett Holiday Light Parade featured a contingent of moms, dads and Philip DiFebo and his family enjoyed This young man warmly greeted float Colorful floats stretched from one end of State kids in strollers, both in the parade and the annual lighting of the holiday tree. after float as they passed by him.

Street to the other. watching from the sidewalk.

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Light Parade 2016

Photos (15) by Richard L. Gaw Brooklyn resident Kate Tarker enjoys the parade with Members of the Kennett High School Mini-Thon said her brothers Joseph and Matt Patterson. The siblings “Happy Holidays” to hundreds of people who attended Guess who arrived at the parade in an antique car? were just three of several hundred parade-goers who the 2016 Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade. braved a persistent rain to enjoy the Nov. 25 event.

What’s a holiday parade without colorful Quinton Schroeder provided his daughmerchandise? ter Ella with a great view of the parade.

There may be no better place for a selfie than beside a brightly-lit tree, decorated for the holidays.

Colorful floats stretched from one end of State Street to the other.

The holiday parade included a variety of live performances.

Local Boy Scout Troop 191 marched down State Street.

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Donating to the Needy

T

he holidays are the perfect time to buy for those in need.

There is nothing more uplifting than to meet someone’s need through a special gift that makes them smile.

Getting involved with local charities or soup kitchens during the holiday season is a great idea — one that hopefully sticks with you throughout the year. Because even though the holidays bring out the givers in all of us, people who are in need actually need help year-round.

High-Priority Gifts There are many ways to buy gifts for those in need, but you may be wondering where to even start. The first thing to do in this situation is to check with your local giving organizations to find out if there are specific needs this holiday season.

Their professionals will be able to point you toward high-priority items, such as personal care products (hair and skin products, toothpaste, razors) or gifts for kids (school clothes, shoes or coats). Many organizations are dedicated to these types of causes, so start there for ideas on how you can help this holiday season.

Practical Gifts Preparing and delivering a holiday food basket can be a great way to help those in a homeless shelter this year. Again, coordinate with management to find out their requirements and the best way to deliver these types of items. They may have policies in place that limit what types of items you can gift to their residents.

Pick up a card off a holiday Angel Tree and teach your children about giving to the less fortunate. Although these gifts are anonymous and their impact to the receiver unknown, it’s a special way to change someone’s Christmas.

Gifts of Encouragement “In need” doesn’t necessarily have to mean poor or homelessness. There may be people in your life struggling with grief during the holidays. A gift of encouragement may be what they need more than anything.

Purchase an inspiring book or offer to simply take them out to dinner. A special tree ornament, jewelry or perfume also make for great pick-me-up gifts. Don’t underestimate the power of your words of encouragement. Gifting a card with some personal words of wisdom or prayers would be priceless for those seeking support from others.

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Kennett Square throws the region's biggest New Year's Eve party K

ennett Square loves its mushrooms, and on New Year’s Eve, everyone loves the gigantic lighted mushroom that ushers in the new year.

On Dec. 31, the town will be packed with visitors for “Midnight in the Square,” the countdown to 2017.

Admission is a donation of nonperishable food for Kennett Area Community Service (www.kacsonline. net).

There will be food trucks from Kaboburritos, M&M BBQ, Nomadic Pies and State Street Pizza, and the Garage Community Youth Center

will be offering food, beer and wine beginning at 9 p.m. ($10 cover charge).

Dancers from Longwood Performing Arts will be performing, and the lighted mushroom will be raised between 7 and 8 p.m. Also performing will be Rose Project, Veronika Petra and others. Capping the entertainment will be the band The Funsters, who will perform from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The lighted mushroom will be lowered at the stroke of midnight, ushering in the new year.

A laser show begins at 6 p.m., and will be repeated every halfhour all night. Some Kennett Square

restaurants and several shops will be open for “Midnight in the Square” as well.

Parking will be available at Kennett High School and Exelon Way, off of East Baltimore Pike, with free shuttle buses running from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visitors should know that open alcohol containers are not permitted in public or in vechicles.

“Midnight in the Square” is a joint venture of the Kennett Area Restaurant and Merchants Association and The Mushroom Festival. For more information and updates, visit www. midnightinthesquare.com.

A huge, lighted mushroom will be lowered in the middle of Kennett Square on Dec. 31 to usher in the new year.

Christmas & New Years‘ Guide PUBLISHED BY AD PRO., INC. Randall S. Lieberman-Publisher DISPLAY ADVERTISING 610.869.5553 ext. 22 Steven Hoffman......................................Managing Editor John Chambless..............................................Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw................................................Staff Writer Brenda Butt...............................................Office Manager Tricia Hoadley.................................................Art Director

Alan E. Turns....................................Advertising Director Christy Larry....................Assistant Advertising Director Teri Turns......................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren............................Advertising Executive Arlene McGoldrick.......................................Copy Editor

Chester County Press • P.O. Box 150 • Kelton, PA 19346

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Couples S

ome gift-givers prefer buying for couples. Doing so allows for a bit of a higher budget per gift. It also can be easier to find a collective gift rather than finding presents for individuals.

Whether it is a young married couple or your adult children and their spouses, a couples gift is a great idea that shows how much you care.

Shared Interests Take note of any shared interests of the couple, because that way, the gift can be geared toward that common ground. This will increase the odds that both of them will be happy with the gift, and that is the overall goal, right?

They both might enjoy the same type of music or movies, so the latest CD or movie release would fit the bill. Some couples have a mutual passion for traveling. A gift idea for them might be a new set of luggage

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or plane tickets to an adventuresome destination.

If they both like the outdoors, give them equipment to go camping or hiking. Many couples like to do puzzles or crafts together. There are many budget-friendly gift ideas that would be right up their alley.

Household Items Couples often need household items, and these traditional gifts allow you to knock out two birds with one stone.

Some newly married or young couples may need things such as a set of dishes, pots or towels. Bigger items such as a flat-screen TV or a piece of furniture would make for exceptional gifts.

If they don’t really need anything or they are more established, a colorful scented candle or a personalized picture frame can be a fun gift. How about a gift card to your local home improvement

store? Every couple has a few home projects in mind.

Other Options Some couples might be humored by a matching set of sweatshirts or hoodies.

Novelty gifts fly off the shelves this time of year and can make memorable

from

presents that you will talk about for years to come.

For food and drink options, consider buying a good bottle of wine with a set of beautiful wine glasses. Local wineries are the place to shop for these.

Foodies will appreciate a gift card to the best local dining establishment.

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