Carolers bring Christmas cheer to North Side neighborhoods

Northside Weed and Seed members sang in the streets.

YOUNGSTOWN — Favorite Christmas carol?

Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas,” said Patrolman Tony Tulipano, no hesitation.

He answered while Patrolman Rick Baldwin pondered the question and then chose Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”

Patrolman Jim Welch’s quick pick was “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” no specific singer.

The survey was taken while the city officers waited for Christmas carolers to gather Thursday night in the Antioch Baptist Church parking lot on Funston Street. They acted as escorts for the small group of singers.

Valley Caroling

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Santa (played by outgoing Councilman Richard Atkinson, R-3rd) showed up with a basket of candy canes to distribute. Rick George, associate director for Youngstown State University Center for Human Services Development, carried and shook a festive red and green tambourine.

Wearing a Santa hat, Terri Bryant, Northside Weed and Seed coordinator, handed out small electric candlesticks and red books filled with carols as each singer, roughly 20 in all, arrived. She said some of the carolers are members of Increase the Peace youth choir.

Then, out of the darkness in the parking lot, came the deep voice of Sgt. Mike Cretella, a YSU campus police officer. He sang a few lines from what he claimed (tongue in cheek) to be his favorite carol: “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.”

Choir members Skylar Berger and Kayla Parker, both 11, didn’t have a favorite Christmas carol but said they know “a lot.”

Meg Welsh, 7, of North Jackson didn’t know any carols but intended to have a real good time faking it. Meg’s mom, Jeanine Fox, Arlington Heights property manager, picked “Winter Wonderland.”

The carolers, sandwiched between cruisers, began their trek by walking east up the middle of Funston singing “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”

They hopped on a charter bus at Norwood Avenue and got dropped off on Elm Street for “Silent Night.” The bus, donated by A&M Transit in Alliance, then took them to the main entrance at St. Elizabeth Health Center on Park Avenue — “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” were the carols — and finally to Arlington Street for cookies and hot chocolate.

Bryant said the idea was to spread holiday joy and show those who commit crime that they will not be allowed to take over the neighborhoods.

George’s department is fiscal agent for a five-year Weed and Seed project grant. The program targets high-crime areas and strives to improve residents quality of life.