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Nativity scene comes alive on North Side
Photo
From left, Cara Carramusa, Agapi Mantos and Jackie Pauley, all employees at Park Vista Retirement Community on Fifth Avenue, Youngstown, dress up as a part of the live Nativity display outside the Park Vista campus. Carramusa, Mantos and Pauley took the first 30-minute shift in the manger, just as snow began to fall Wednesday night.
By Elise Franco
YOUNGSTOWN
A nativity scene on the city’s North Side was full of more than just figurines Wednesday night.
Park Vista, a retirement and assisted-living community on Fifth Avenue, brought its annual manger scene to life.
Three Park Vista employees — Jackie Pauley, Cara Carramusa and Agapi Mantos — stepped into the manger as a shepherd, Joseph and Mary, respectively.
Pauley said she’s been participating in the live Nativity for about 10 years because, for her, it marks the beginning of the holiday season. “It sets the season.”
Carramusa and Mantos are participating for the first time, and Carramusa said it’s a fun way to be involved in Park Vista activities.
“We really embrace the holidays here,” she said. “It’s not that often you see people on the North Side dressed up in a manger scene.”
Beth Ann Tabak, public relations employee for Park Vista, said the live Nativity is a tradition that’s gone on for several decades.
“At Park Vista, this is our way of saying thank you to the community that’s supported us,” she said.
Those who missed the live Nativity on Wednesday can see it from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. today as well.
Virginia Williams, 90, described the live manger scene as beautiful and touching and said she goes out to see it each year.
“It’s something that, even if you don’t believe, makes you feel at peace,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing to bring alive.”
Irene Jefferson, 92, also plans to see the display while it’s live because it “embodies that season.”
“It’s something you can lay your hands on and feel and touch.”