DECEMBER 18-24, 2014 Your Local News
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The Home News
Gov. Wolf Society Has Follow-up On house tour by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Nazareth Nativity scene.
–Home News photo
Live Christmas pageant Presented in Bethlehem
by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
The 36th annual performance of the live Christmas pageant was presented this past Saturday and Sunday at Bethlehem’s Rose Garden before audiences of more than 350 people sitting or standing on both cloudy days with temperatures in the mid-40’s. The chancel choir of Bethany United Church of Christ sang Christmas music as William Schellhaas narrated the story of Christ Jesus’ birth from Biblical scripture. As he spoke, volunteers
playing the part of townspeople and shepherds, and dressed in clothing of the period, walked around. On Saturday, the part of Mary was played by Jill Rathmell and on Sunday by Melissa Diffenderfer and Joseph by Gary Snyder. Angels were Lisa Villani, Emilia Johns, Bath resident Florence Liberto, Sasha Nelson, Maliah Price, Maci Price, Gianna Cusumano, Ella Viegas, and Israela Kohnlein. The choir sang two songs as shepherds laid on the ground,
and King Herod (John Kohnlein) and the High Priest (Mark Reccek) made their appearance. Then entered the Wise Men from the East walking beside camels. King Balthasar was played by Brock Williams, King Caspar by Donald Jenny, and King Melchoir by Kevin Landis. Riders came in on horses provided by Blue Ridge Stables. In all, there were more than 100 volunteer performers presenting the story of the birth of Jesus. Continued on page 3
In past years, there was a candlelight tour of homes on Friday night. But this time the 34th annual Christmas House Tour sponsored by the Governor Wolf Historical Society, held on Saturday, Dec. 6, was followed up by a special tour on Sunday, Dec. 7 for patrons, the volunteer staff, homeowners and sponsors. The Sunday tour began with a brunch at the Wolf Academy in the late morning, and then an afternoon visit to all the decorated homes for more than three hours, finishing up at the society’s park in East Allen Township. This way the homeowners could see how others had restored their homes and the styles they used. “Everyone enjoyed it,” said Carol Bear-Heckman, a member of the house tour committee. She said the rain on Saturday affected the attendance slightly, but the society was prepared, as were the homeowners, with booties provided to protect the floors. Overall, the visitors to the homes were delighted at what they saw. Several of the homes were in Lehigh County in the community of Schnecksville, and Mrs. Heckman said the people enjoyed seeing those homes as well. In past years, florists and garden clubs provided elaborate floral decorations at each of the homes for the Saturday tour, and competed for winning ribbons. This time around, the florists placed a wreath at each of the homes’ front doors. They followed the theme, “Sleigh Bells Ring”, and a number of the wreaths had bells on them. Mrs. Heckman said she heard many good comments about
the tour this past Friday night when the society had a concert in candlelight by Robert Mouland. Entitled “Drive the Cold Winter Away,” the holiday performance featured the wire strung Irish harp, hurdy-gurdy, Baroque flute of 1790, and English guitar of 1760. The program consisted of beautiful songs, melodies and tales of the season and how they were celebrated in early America. Next year’s Christmas House Tour will be on Saturday, December 5. Future Events The society meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Monocacy School. Upcoming events in the months ahead include: • March 7 and 8 – Seventh annual antiques show, with fine antiques and a café in an historical setting • May 1 – Annual society candlelight dinner in the 1785 Wolf Academy • May 15 and 16 – Third annual Country Garden Faire, showing plants, herbs and garden sundries in the historical campus, with lectures, food, and children’s activities. Fund Drive The Governor Wolf Historical Society was formed more than 50 years ago, in 1958, when the Wolf Academy Restoration Society merged with the Bath Area Continued on page 4
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