HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

By: Savea Brinegar

The child’s eyes flutter NRHS freshman Savannah Pratt describes her open sleepily, prompt- ideal Christmas as the one you can see in movies. ing a series of stretches. “There’s snow on the ground and everyone is in Their eyes widening, the their pjs,” she says. “We hand out presents to each child rushes to their window to be greeted with other, and afterwards we get ready to visit other delicate snowflakes falling to the snowy ground. family members.” The trees were coated with icicles and snow, tru- To Pratt, Christmas represents a time to be with ly resembling the ideal winter wonderland. A grin family. With busy schedules, her extended family forming on the child’s face, they rush down the doesn’t get to see each other often. On this day, she stairs, taking in the scene before them. Dozens of gets to see all of them and give gifts to the people presents lie under the she loves. tree in golds, greens, From a differand reds, with the ent perspective, Pafaint aroma of pep- tricia Constance is permint and freshly a mother as well as made coffee. Their a grandmother. She siblings come up be- expresses how gratehind them, and they ful she is to have all exchange a single family in her life. “I glance before taking love to wake up surseats on the floor, pa- rounded by family tiently awaiting their with snow outside,” parents to hand out Constance says. “I’ll their gifts. then light a fire to

The ideal Christ- warm us up, and we mas morning can eat some hearty food mean something dif- like a sausage and ferent for everyone, egg casserole. Maybe and it can be fasci- cinnamon rolls for a nating to see how One family features ornaments on their tree that represents bonus.” other people celebrate memories and what family means to them. Although Constance’s this one day of the year. children have moved Joann William, a high school student, said the out, she prides herself in knowing that every year staple to her ideal Christmas morning is break- on this special day, her children will bring her fast. “My mom usually makes scrambled eggs with grandchildren over to celebrate. bacon, tomato green chilis and onions,” William All of these people, whether they are a student says. “She also makes tea and biscuits to go with it, in school or an adult with a job, have similar ideas which is always delicious.” of what Christmas means to them, whether Christ-

William said that the smell of breakfast cook- mas is about being in the presence of family, giving ing wakes her up in the early morning. After her gifts to others to ignite joy, or even just eating a family eats, they then open presents. She spends warm meal together. The ideal Christmas can be her Christmas with family the whole day and relax- different for everyone, but it all centers around the es with her newly-opened gifts. basic idea of spending time with family.

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DARK By: Jaret Gold

To the residents of North Royalton and thanks. all of Northeast Ohio, Dan Hoag’s Chan- A veteran at decorating, Dan dler Commons Christmas decorations in started the now-annual tradition Strongsville are as much a part of the hol- back in 1988 while participating in iday season as candy canes and caroling. His amaz- a neighborhood Christmas lights ing light display is not just a local attraction, but competition. After winning, he didn’t look back. it was featured on the nationally televised “Great “He’s been doing it for as long as I’ve known him,” Christmas Light Fight” back in 2015. The display Mrs. Hoag said. “And it got more and more elaborate features an incredible 65,000 lights, holiday music, every year. All the while, more and more neighbors a visit with Santa, and a blend of the old-fashioned began their own impressive displays.” The Crown and modern technology to bring the season alive. Point neighborhood has become a must-see destiThis year, however, his home is dark. nation during the holidays. brought the lights to him by organizing a Christmas parade in his honor. “They had cars decorated with lights and Christmas trees placed on top,” Mrs. Hoag said. “There was also someone who dressed up as the Grinch. I think the best part, though, was a sign that read ‘Mr. Ho-Ho-Hoag.’”

Dan loved the kindness and spirit of the community and is glad his work has had such a positive impact on people. However, he wasn’t surprised by the celebration. “He knew in advance that it was beMy family has visited the Hoag display every Christmas that I can remember. When my cousins from Hawaii visited in 2010, we took them to see the house. It was the first time they ever saw snow, and they had never seen Christmas lights like Dan Hoag’s. All donations from the Christmas experience at Dan’s house have gone to families in need, a practice he’s been doing for as long as Mrs. Hoag can remember. Despite not putting up much this year, Dan still has people he’d like to help out and is using gofundme.

The Hoag house at sunset. Dan adds more displays One woman needs a kidney transplant but can’t pay every year, and over the past three decades, for it, and the other is a mom of three battling cancer. his neighborshave joined in the holiday spirit. The good news is that Dan is recovering from

Dan’s daughter-in-law, North Royalton High intention to bring back the full light display next School counselor Mrs. Hoag, explained that he was Christmas. Just like everything else this year, things diagnosed with lymphoma, which prevented him are different this holiday season. But the new year from putting up the decorations in 2020. When brings hope. We can all look forward to seeing the Cleveland residents heard about his condition, they Hoag display in all its glory next Christmas.

his illness and prognosis looks good, so it is his ing held,” Mrs. Hoag revealed. He found out about the parade while watching the news. Not wanting to be completely left out of the festivities, he put up a few small decorations on his house as a gesture of Back in 2012, my uncle from Texas came to visit us for Christmas, and we took him to see the Hoag house. THE ROYAL NEWS | 7