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Rotary Club hosts Lighting of the Green
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .A group of second-grade students warmed up with hot cocoa and cookies at Piccadilly Parlour during the Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green Dec. 6.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .The Canfield Green, including the gazebo, was aglow after being lit up during the Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green Dec. 6.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Canfield Village Middle School Cardinal Chorale, under the direction of Stephanie Summers, previewed songs from its approaching holiday concert during the Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green Dec. 6.
BY ABBY SLANKER
The Rotary Club of Canfield continued its holiday tradition with its annual Lighting of the Green Dec. 6. The event featured horse-drawn carriage rides, cookies, cocoa and live music at Piccadilly Parlour, pizza, cookies and other treats at the Township Hall and, of course, Santa Claus.
The voices of second-grade Hilltop Elementary School students, fourth-grade C.H. Campbell Elementary School students and the CVMS Cardinal Chorale also filled the cold air.
Anthony Nacarato, Lighting of the Green chairman, welcomed the crowd, which included Rotary President Randy Swartz, Canfield Mayor Bill Kay, Canfield Township Trustees Marie Izzo-Cartwright and Tony Bettile, City of Canfield Councilmen John Morvay, Pastors Larry Bowald of Canfield Presbyterian Church, Jay Eastman of Canfield Christian Church, Susan Brown of Canfield United Methodist Church and Jill Barton, Rush Church youth pastor.
“Thank you for coming and braving this snowy weather,” Nacarato said as he welcomed the crowd.
Prior to the lighting, the Hilltop second-graders, under the direction of Tom Scurich, sang holiday songs they had been practicing for their “Holidays Around the World” program and C.H. Campbell fourth-graders, under the direction of Michael Fay, sang several holiday songs. The CVMS Cardinal Chorale, under the direction of Stephanie Summers, previewed songs from their approaching holiday concert.
“We appreciate the schools coming out tonight. When we called them, they were more than happy to help us,” Nacarato said.
Brown offered the opening prayer and words and Bowald played the guitar and led the crowd in singing the Christmas carols. Eastman offered a reading and Barton revved the crowd up to light the green.
When it came time to light the green, the children in the crowd were asked to come forward to get buttons for them to press to turn on the lights. After a countdown from Barton, the buttons were pushed and the Green was glowing.
After the lighting, Santa arrived at the Green on a Canfield Fire Department fire truck and proceeded to the Township Hall to greet all the children. Complimentary professional photos of Santa and the children were provided by Picture This Studio.
New this year was bus trips to Fairview Avenue, which offered a view of Mike McAndrews’ house lit up for the holidays, with his lights synced to music to further the effect.
Local business sponsors included Bodine and Perry, LLC, Maroun’s Import Specialists, Farmers National Bank, Something New Florist, Dr. Pamela Barkett, DDS. and Boak and Sons.
Eight trees were added to the green with the help of tree sponsors Baxter Associates, LLC, Sam and Donna Boak, Bill and Twilla D’Amico, Brianna and Jason Pridon, Mike Raulins, George Roman family, Rush Church, Mark Squicquero, DDS, Randy and Mary Swartz family, Seiglinda and Larry Warren, Linda and Joe Warino, Woodlands Assisted Living and Donny Dragish family.
Horse-drawn carriage rides sponsors included Anthony and Josie Nacarato, Gail and Jill McCullough family, Ray Jr. and Julie McCune family and Doug and Darlene Tepe-Sipe family.
Donations of supplies and equipment came from Wedgewood Pizza of Salem, Stepuk Farms, Giannios Candy Company, Picture This Studio, White House Fruit Farms, Piccadilly Parlour, Nemenz IGA Struthers and Lincoln Knolls and Olfield Graphics.
“We would also like to thank the Canfield Police Department and Canfield Fire Department for all their help with this event. And a big thank you to the Public Works Department for putting up the lights and the trees,” Nacarato said.