Residents, visitors kick off holiday season today at annual Mill event

YOUNGSTOWN

Visitors to the Olde Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek MetroParks came by the hundreds Saturday to continue or start a family tradition and kick off the Christmas season by enjoying chestnuts roasted on an open fire.

And today, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., hundreds more are expected to do the same and see Lanterman’s Mill decorated in its holiday finery, watch artisans demonstrate old-fashioned crafts, and for the very young, sit on Santa’s knee and make a Christmas wish.

“This kind of starts the Christmas season for us,” said Christina Scullen of Campbell, who took in the festivities with Telly Dutton of Austintown, and Isabel and Savanah Dutton, 11 and 14 respectively, who were taking shelter and pictures on the covered bridge with the falls as background.

“We’ve been doing this about seven years and every year we take pictures, Scullen said.

Among Saturday’s visitors were Jeff Turnbull and his wife, Luisa, of Spring Grove, Ill., near Chicago.

Jeff, formerly of North Lima, was home for the holidays to visit family and friends. Along with them at Lanterman’s Mill were Jeff’s brother, Vince Turnbull and his wife, Tina, of North Lima.

Luisa, for whom it was a first visit to the event, said she thought it was wet and cold, “it’s pretty and it gets you in the mood for Christmas.”