43
Spreading cheer in Boardman
Photo
CLASS WORK: West Boulevard Elementary second-graders Ahmara Grace, 8, and Salina Jackson, 7, of Boardman decorate their class tree in Boardman Township Park for the 12th annual Boardman Community Christmas.
Photo
CLASS WORK: West Boulevard Elementary second-graders Ahmara Grace, 8, and Salina Jackson, 7, of Boardman decorate their class tree in Boardman Township Park for the 12th annual Boardman Community Christmas.
By Sean Barron
A sing-along with more than 20 songs added to the festivities.
BOARDMAN — It may have been a 25-degree day with a biting wind, but none of that put a damper on 8-year-old Ahmara Grace’s desire to add a little garland and a few dry apple decorations to a pine tree.
“I liked to see Santa Claus and decorate the Christmas tree,” added Ahmara’s friend, 7-year-old Salina Jackson. “I [also] like to hear the music and make snowballs.”
The two West Boulevard Elementary School second-graders were among those who braved the cold to attend Sunday’s 12th annual Boardman Community Christmas celebration at Boardman Township Park on U.S. Route 224.
Many of the roughly 100 participants settled for hot chocolate and gathering around a fire to stay warm during the hourlong event, which featured Christmas carols, tree decorating and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Also adding his decorative touches to a nearby tree was Xander Grace, 5, a West Boulevard kindergarten pupil and Ahmara’s brother.
Pupils from several Boardman schools, as well as members of the local chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions and Girl Scout Troop 646 of Poland, placed dried fruits and bagels, chains and other decorations on trees specifically designated for them as Christmas music filled the air.
Four-year-old Aiyana Moore, who’s with Troop 646, combined peanut butter and bird seed, added the mix to a bagel and hung her creation on the tree with the troop’s name next to it.
Members of the Boardman High School band did their best to spread holiday cheer by having a sing-along that featured more than 20 popular Christmas tunes and hymns.
Ahmara and Xander, as well as Salina, came with their mother, Alyssa, a sales representative for Alltel Wireless.
Alyssa Grace said she considers herself fortunate that she and her husband, Mark, have steady employment during these difficult economic times. The recession likely won’t have a negative impact on how the family celebrates the holidays this year, she added.
“So far, so good,” Alyssa added, referring to her husband’s position with General Motors.
The rough economy also shouldn’t affect how Tammy McCollums and her family celebrate Christmas.
McCollums, Troop 646’s leader, said her girls are collecting toys to distribute to youngsters in area hospitals. The Scouts plan to give the items to the youngsters a few days before Christmas, McCollums said.
McCollums, who has two children of her own, added that the economy won’t stop her family’s plans to spend Christmas in a traditional fashion.
“We’ll be celebrating it with lots of love,” she said. “Our main goal is Jesus and love.”