Juniata County Christmas 2023 by Lewistown Sentinel

JUNIATA COUNTY CHRISTMAS

Community Christmas Cantata binds Juniata County

BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN—In the heart of Juniata County, as the brisk winds of December herald the arrival of the festive season, a harmonious tradition unfolds – the Community Christmas Cantata – weaving together the diverse threads of a close-knit community.

This year’s Cantata, under the coordination of Will Angenent and a dedicated team of volunteers, will be a tapestry of voices and stories, echoing the shared joy and spirit of Christmas. The event, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mifflintown, goes beyond a mere musical performance; it’s a vivid display of unity and communal resilience.

While admission will be free, a free-will offering will be collected to benefit the Juniata County Food Pantry.

The 2023 Cantata, titled “Bethlehem’s Child” by Victor C. Johnson and Lloyd Larson, symbolizes more than the Christmas story. It represents the community’s ability to come together, transcending differences in age, religion, and background.

Angenent, reflecting on the essence of the event, notes, “This is what it means a ‘Community event’–meaning that anyone can participate and is not based on religion or age. Although the event is held at a church, we respect this as it is. No age restrictions, and if a singer cannot stand for the complete event, we set up chairs on stage as needed.”

This inclusivity is the heartbeat of the Cantata, creating a space where differences are acknowledged and celebrated.

The genesis of this event can be traced back to 1997, when Kevin Cunningham, then the Juniata High School band and chorus director, first invited community members to join the high school chorus. This inaugural performance, blending the enthusiasm of students with the experience of community members, was a revelation.

“While local church choirs have performed Christmas cantatas for many years, the idea for a larger Community Christmas Cantata came about in 1997 when Kevin Cunningham invited local community members to join the high school students in performing a public performance,” Angenent said. “Following months of rehearsal time, this event was very well received, with over 135 singers performing in the JHS Auditorium for a full-capacity audience.

“From that point until Mr. Cunningham’s retirement in June 2015, the cantata choruses averaged over 130 total members for the community events, with the 2013 and 2014 cantata performances including 151 and 161 singers, respectively. The annual productions also included additional high school students providing live tableaux scenes, as well as serving as lighting personnel.”

It evolved into a cornerstone of Juniata County’s Christmas celebrations. Each year, the choir, a blend of various ages and church affiliations, gathers to rehearse and deliver a performance that resonates with the spirit of the season. This annual event has become a reflection of the county’s communal fabric.

This year’s musical piece was carefully chosen, with the committee giving

the final nod to Director Andrea Cameron. The meticulous and collaborative selection process ensured the Cantata would resonate with the audience and performers.

As the coordinator, Angenent emphasizes the collective effort behind the Cantata.

“I see this as a team effort and found a lot of willingness. It all came together, and there is not a direct leader, which is why I called myself coordinator (more in the sense of an assistant),” he said. “When Mr. Cunningham determined he could not lead this year’s Christmas Cantata, he sent out an email with his announcement. This was around the end of August.

“It seemed there was not going to be a cantata this year. I started talking with some people about this; then I called Mr. Cunningham. I asked him if he had any objection if I started gathering information about having a 2023 Cantata, and he said, you have all my support. This is how I started and found a lot of willing people to help.”

This collaborative spirit extends to every aspect of the production, from the selection of the musical piece to the meticulous organization of rehearsals and performances.

The impact of the Cantata on the community is profound. It’s not just a musical event but a social gathering that strengthens the bonds of the community. The rehearsals and performances become venues for social interaction, where people from different walks of life come together, united by their love for music and community spirit.

Angenent, inspired by the success of this year’s event, is hopeful about its

future.

“I am not thinking about the next cantata; I just hope that Mr. Cunningham, with his wealth of experience, will be able to take the reins again. I can see how it brings people together and have fun; we must keep this tradition going for everyone in the community!” he asserts.

“In case Mr. Cunningham cannot perform in 2024, I will be a backup.”

Determination and a deep sense of community marked Angenent’s journey in organizing the Cantata.

“The first item on the agenda was to get the location for the rehearsals and the performance. Then, it was finding the right director. I found Andrea Cameron to be a good fit for this cantata,” Angenent said. “I asked her if she would lead the Community Cantata. At first, she had no interest because of all the organizing work around it. I told her she does not have to do any organizational work, just show up, and I will do all the organizing.”

In addition to Cameron, other volunteers include Dot Dowling, who will assist Cameron; Music direc-

tors Arlen Saner and Slone Smith; administration and minutes keeper Pamela Angenent; and advisors, Pastor Rick Adams and Pastor Sam Leister.

This approach, focusing on collaboration and support, is evidence of the strength and unity of Juniata County’s community.

As the performance nears, the excitement within the community is palpable. The melodies and harmonies that will resonate within the walls of Messiah Lutheran Church are not just notes of a Christmas song but echoes of a community’s heart and soul, singing in unison the joyous tunes of togetherness and harmony.

The Community Christmas Cantata in Juniata County is a celebration of the human spirit, of the joy that emerges when individuals come together for a cause greater than themselves. It’s a story of a community united in song and spirit, echoing the timeless message of Christmas –peace, joy, love and togetherness.

The Pines General Store

Remembering when Santa Claus came to town

BY SHEILA MCCARTHY YORKS

PORT ROYAL — The Christmas song, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in the Fall of 1934. Children all around the world soon began dreaming of the jolly, portly man, and he actually did come to Juniata County towns in the 1940s. According to an ad in The Times (Port Royal) in 1946, Toyland was located on the upper floor of Bashore’s Hardware in Port Royal. According to the ad, Santa had plenty of toys for kids since the war (WWII) had ended and the toy-makers could get the things they needed to work with for toy-making. Some of the things Santa mentioned were wagons, metal play toys, scooters, dolls and doll furniture, games and just everything to make the kids’ play days happen. In 1948 in the same newspaper, Santa was actually coming to Port Royal and would make a visit to S. R. Bashore and Son Hardware Store’s Toyland.

A chapter in the book Perrysville to Port Royal 1812-2012 A 200-Year Journey, indicated that “Anyone who was fortunate enough to be a child in Port Royal during the 1950s will remember Bashore’s Toyland, located on the second floor of the hardware store.

Although it’s not a store, one place Santa still makes his yearly visit is to Richfield the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. Here, children can hop on Santa’s lap and share their gift lists with him as Mrs. Claus stands nearby with a treat. The event, referred to as Christmas in the Park, began in 2001 and has run every year since. It is organized by the Richfield Lions Club and includes food and craft vendors with plenty of entertainment for all ages. But, the most popular thing is visiting Santa at noon.

It was a magical place that Santa Claus visited each year during the Christmas season. The children climbed the broad stairway and waited their turn to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.”

Up until the 1980s, the man with the white beard would come close to Christmas to see what the children wanted under their Christmas tree. The hardware store changed hands in 1977 and the new owner, Jeff Leonard, believed that Santa’s visits only lasted for about five or six years afterwards.

In Mifflintown, Santa made his debut in the early 1950s at Gordon’s Department Store, visiting their basement floor’s Toyland

as well. In speaking with former Gordon’s salesgirl, Patty Worrall, she remembers kids would come in the rear entrance and, “They’d run straight to the toys!” she said as she laughed. Worrall remembers many gifts purchased by adults as well. She, herself, still has an item purchased at the former department store. It is a women’s birdcage veil. The cost, an astronomical $1. At the time, many women wore these types of veils as a hat when they attended church near the Holidays.

Diane Marshall, whose father Ray Beasom was the Santa at Gordon’s, recalls him standing in his red suit in the front window to invite children to see him.

He’d then meet them in the basement and each kiddie would share their list with him and receive an orange and a LifeSaver Candy Book as a treat.

During many years in the 1960s, he also arrived by float in the area’s Christmas Parade, then made his way to Gordon’s where he’d listen to children’s gift wishes.

Another Christmas song, “Santa’s Comin’ in a Whirlybird” sung by Gene

Autrey, came true in our county as well. In 1971, Santa began flying into Mifflintown to the Juniata Valley Shopping Center by helicopter. He was met by anxious children who’d been brought by their parents so their little boy or girl could get a look at the red-suited man. Then, they’d get in line at the former Ben Franklin Store, sit on Santa’s lap and whisper into his ear what they’d hope to find in their stockings on Christmas morning.

Later in that decade, they’d watch him arrive in a fire truck during the Christmas Parade. Ben Franklin store owner, Joe Boor, continued the tradition of welcoming the man from the North Pole, along with IGA manager Dick Berrier and Juniata Valley National Bank (Mt. View) branch manager, Grover Wolfgang. It was in 1991, the jolly old elf himself made his last visit to the shopping center. A big disappointment to area children. Currently, there are few stores with a specific “Toyland,” and parents must seek other places to take their kiddies to visit Santa.

When kids do get a look at Santa Claus himself, they run to him in anticipation of sharing with him their Christmas wishes and the Spirit of Christmas is alive again.

Courtesy of the Juniata Sentinel

Ben Franklin Store / Santa ad.

Courtesy of The Times Port Royal Times ad, 1948.

Courtesy of the Juniata Sentinel

Santa arrives by helicopter at the Ben Franklin Store at the Juniata Valley Shopping Center in 1972.

Christmas at the Juniata County Courthouse

BY MARK PARTNER Commissioner, Juniata County

MIFFLINTOWN — It is a privilege to share some thoughts and perspectives on the Christmas Holidays at the Juniata County Courthouse and the way our dedicated staff embraces this very special time of the year.

Currently serving as one of our county commissioners, I look back on 23 years of county service to my first opportunity to serve in local government working as a county auditor. I quickly learned that everyone enjoyed planning the occasional potluck lunch. Most everyone contributed something and everyone was included, even the

folks who regularly visited the courthouse on business.

During the Christmas season, this tradition has an extra special atmosphere of holiday cheer, kindness and good will. There’s always plenty of delicious food at any potluck lunch and a good selection of “Christmas goodies.” It’s noteworthy to mention that rarely are there any duplicate dishes. Each department staggers their staff’s lunch break so everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the food and fellowship without interrupting the routine services provided to the public or their clients.

Everyone enjoys seeing the Christmas tree displayed on the courthouse balcony. County mainte-

nance places the tree and the Business and Professional Women’s Club oversees the tree decorating duties. Likewise, a Christmas tree is placed in the center of the hallway of the main courthouse. A group of county staff volunteer and take turns decorating the tree. These trees are enjoyed by so many people. You will find a touch of the holidays (and maybe a sweet treat) in many of the offices, too.

Even though the Christmas Holiday time comes when a lot of year-end wrap-up and new year planning occurs, we are truly blessed to still be able to make time for celebrating each other and this magical time of the year. Every individual in our county government system is appreciated. Together holiday traditions are kept and memories are made. Wishing you health and happiness!

Photo by Sheila McCarthy Yorks Women’s birdcage veil with price tag.

Kiwanis Club meter decorations a tradition in Mifflintown

BY ALICE J. ARNOLD President, Kiwanis Club of Juniata County

MIFFLINTOWN — The look has changed from time to time over the years, yet the basic formula continues. Greens + bows = Christmastime in bMifflintown, at least for the Kiwanis Club of Juniata County.

For more than 20 years the Kiwanis Club of Juniata County has had the pleasure of brightening the holiday season with their festive greens and bows which adorn the meters of the County seat located in Mifflintown.

It all begins the year before, making certain new bows replace those who have done their duty and no lon-

ger meet the “beauty” standard. Several days before the event, Kiwanians brave the cold and trim enough greens. The past several years the greens have been generously donated from the property of a fellow Kiwanian and his wife, Jerry and Blossom Ranck. The day of, Kiwanians and friends gather together and assemble approximately 100 holiday swags, and once assembled, it’s off to the courthouse area, where a “seasoned swag Kiwanian” coupled with a newbie use their secret, well-conceived plan to attach the bows to their final destination. The result? A festive air invades the town with the best wishes from their local Kiwanians.

Kiwanian Scott Arnold prepares greens and a bow for decoration.

Photos courtesy of Kiwanis Club of Juniata County

Kiwanians Charlie Marshall (left) and Jerry Ranck decorate a meter in Mifflintown.

Juniata County Food Pantry helps to provide Christmas meals

MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata County Food Pantry is working to bring Christmas to families in Juniata County. All the groceries to make a Christmas dinner will be distributed at the Juniata County Food Pantry from Saturday, Dec. 2 through Tuesday, Dec. 23. Current customers (2023) of the Juniata County Food Pantry may simply request the Christmas meal when they come for their regular groceries. Families who are not current customers of the Food Pantry may also qualify for a Christmas meal if they meet income guidelines and can provide the following: proof of identity (such as photo ID) and proof of Juniata County residency (current photo ID with Juniata County address or recent piece of mail (utility bill) with name and address.

“We have some of the most generous people, organizations and churches in our community,” Juniata County Food Pantry Executive Director, Glenda Fultz, said. “They are wonderful and so supportive. We are so very blessed and appreciative of any donations we receive. We couldn’t give back to the ones in need without the ones willing to help.”

If you are picking up a meal for someone else, you must have a note, signed

and dated by the recipient, allowing you to pick up the meal for them, as well as the required proof listed above. All applicants must call the Food Pantry at (717) 436-9718 in advance to make an appointment for the distribution.

“Donations tend to go up during the holiday season,” Fultz said. “Many people and places have food drives as well. The pantry has also been extremely blessed with the best volunteers around, we couldn’t do what we do, without them.”

If you are already blessed with plenty of food and would like to help provide holiday meals, a donation of $20 will provide one complete Christmas meal for a family.

“God has blessed the pantry abundantly through the giving of others,” Fultz said. “The Juniata County Food Pantry is truly blessed.”

For more information, contact the Juniata County Food Pantry at (717) 436-9718. The Pantry is located at 114 N. Main St. in Mifflintown. The mailing address is P.O. Box 44, Mifflintown, Pa., 17059. Hours are Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Donations of non-perishable items may be left at any time in the vestibule. Perishable foods must be delivered when the pantry is open.

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Christmas memories growing up in Juniata County

BY LORI KINT

LEWISTOWN — I look back fondly on the memories of the Christmas season as I was growing up. The earliest thing I can recall was the little aluminum tree that sat on a stand by the HiFi in our very small living room. We didn’t get many gifts at that time but we cherished what we got. I was 7 when my parents built a house along the base of the Tuscarora mountain. That is where I was raised and most of my childhood memories are of that neighborhood. There were no lines on the road or street lights and you were still considered a neighbor if you lived two miles down the road. I remember sled riding parties that

ended with hot chocolate in the barn and impromptu Christmas caroling at the neighbors who were kind enough to open their doors and listen. They seemed to actually enjoy our funny little group of out-of-tune troubadours.

Our Christmas celebrations were always shared by our maternal Grandparents. In the early years, we would go to their home in Snyder County, but after we moved, they would come to our home. Grandma would always make homemade bread (that smelled like the most wonderful thing in the world to me) and wilted lettuce salad. I wasn’t terribly fond of that. Our Aunt would come home from Virginia with wonderful,

well-thought-out presents for the kids. I still have a few to this day. After our feast, we would make long-distance calls (which was kind of a big thing at the time) to my Mother’s siblings who lived too far away to join us. We would all pass the phone around and take turns catching up. At some point in the afternoon, my grandmother would pull out her huge old camera with an enormous flash that would blind us for the next half hour.

I believe my most favorite memory - and it’s still part of my Christmas - revolves around the West German Mica Angel ornaments that my parents would hang on their Christmas tree. When I was old enough, I request-

Angel Tree.

ed that I be the one that would hang them. For many years when visiting my parents, I would circle the tree until I found all of them. Years later when my parents downsized to the

point where they no longer put up a tree, they gave me the angels and I split them with my niece. They now hang on a special tree by themselves. It reminds me of my parents and all those

many wonderful Christmases we shared. Mom passed away the day after Christmas last year, and Dad the December before, so now they are cherished even more.

Photo courtesy of Lori Kint

Christmas, circa 1966. Lori Kint (front right, with doll) surrounded by her family.

Photo taken at Kint’s grandparents’ house in Snyder County.

JUNIATA COUNTY CHRISTMAS

Family’s Christmas lights have become well-known in Mifflintown

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com

MIFFLINTOWN – Almost every neighborhood has some sort of incredible light display when it comes time to deck the halls.

Network television even has the holiday classic, “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” that pits families and friends across the country in a battle to create the most astonishing holiday light displays imaginable.

Then, there is Dr. Kenneth Erdman Jr., and his wife, Angie, who have been celebrating the holidays with a light show and other décor at their Mifflintown home for more than a decade.

“We’re amateurs compared to those people,” jokes Dr. Erdman when comparing his displays over the past 12 to 14 years with those on “The Great

Christmas Light Fight” reality TV show. “We’re on a smaller scale and less complicated than those people. It’s still fun nonetheless.”

The Erdmans also light up their house because they believe it brightens up the community’s spirit for the holidays. They said it’s not uncommon for strangers to stop in front of their house and take a selfie that includes their holiday lights display or to have vehicles from area community centers or nursing homes drive by for a looksee.

“It’s definitely become a tradition for a lot of people,” Erdman said. “From the people taking portraits in front of our home to the nursing home vans out seeing some of the lights.

“We don’t have a way to know who sees it,” he added. “I know we’ve had people from out of state stop by. They were visiting families around the holiday.”

Sentinel photos by MIKE GOSS

Christmas lights and decorations at Dr. Kenneth Erdman Jr.’s home in Mifflintown.

Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS

Christmas lights and decorations at Dr. Kenneth Erdman

Jr.’s home in Mifflintown.

JUNIATA COUNTY CHRISTMAS

Lights

Continued from Page 10

The Erdmans spend about two to three weeks putting up their computerized light display shortly after Halloween. He estimates it might take them 30 to 40 hours total to assemble.

“It takes us about one and a half to two weekends to put up our Halloween lights,” Erdman said. “It’s not nearly as large as our Christmas display, but it gives us the opportunity to get the equipment out and test it.”

Yes, the Erdmans also have a spook-tacular light show for Halloween when all of the ghosts and goblins are haunting Juniata

County. Typically, their Halloween display goes up in late September and is up for about a month. Then, they make the switch to the Christmas season.

Like their reality TV counterparts, the Erdmans present some impressive numbers about their display, which has 148 channels of lights, plays 27 songs and includes 35,000 to 40,000 lights. By the way, they also use roughly three-fourths of a mile of extension cords. “It may even be longer than that by now,” Erdman said laughing.

“We’ve never really had that intention in doing the display,” he added. “We wanted to do something for the community and give a little holiday spirit to the neighborhood.”

They learned how to set up their displays by watching how-to videos on YouTube. They also researched online to find a company who makes the displays. From there, “we’ve made it bigger and bigger each year,” Erdman said.

This year, Angie posted on Facebook on Nov. 21 that the “Christmas lights are now playing!”

Two people responded: one complimenting their display saying, “It is always so beautiful and enjoyed by many!” and the other sending “folks your direction to enjoy the show like we do!”

While the bright lights might take center stage, the Erdmans make their Nativity scene the focal point of their display.

“Most of the outside

decorations involve the light show, but we want people to understand the main point of Christmas,” he said. “That’s one part of our display that never turns off.”

The inside of their house is also decorated beautifully for the holidays, with five Christmas trees. Each one has a theme, along with special memories for the family.

One tree is decorated with homemade ornaments that their children made growing up. Another is adorned with ornaments from their trips to Disney.

The remaining trees have ornaments from destinations where they’ve traveled.

Sentinel photos by MIKE GOSS Christmas lights and decorations at Dr. Kenneth Erdman Jr.’s home in Mifflintown.

Christmas traditions create new memories each year

BY LINDA GEISSINGER

MIFFLINTOWN — The tradition started in 2013 when our grandchildren helped decorate for Christmas, not only the tree, but the whole house.

This tradition is still going strong at our house.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, right after church,

they would arrive to help decorate. First on the day’s agenda was to carry the tree and all the boxes down from the attic. Then the fun would start, getting everything out of the boxes and deciding what to use this year. I would insist on adding some ornaments that were made and given to me by their mother and

uncle when they were in elementary school. The nativity was carefully unpacked and set up, often in a different spot each year. My many ceramic trees were also carefully placed in prominent places throughout the house.

Over the years the decorating skills improved and the house would shine

with the Christmas spirit. After the decorating was completed, extra items packed up and placed back in the attic, we would enjoy games or Christmas movies. Everyone slept over at our house and we all went shopping the next day. When the grandchildren were young, the main shopping destination was

Abundant Blessings. Each child had an amount of money to spend (increased by Grandma) on gifts for their family. After we finished shopping, we enjoyed lunch together and headed back to the house to wrap the gifts. One by one, I helped wrap their gifts.

Several years ago, our grandson decided to let the

decorating up to the girls. The two girls still help decorate the house. They sleep over and we all spend the next day shopping. Even though she is away at college, the oldest granddaughter still comes home and continues this tradition. I love their help and the beautiful decorations throughout the house.

Photo courtesy of Linda Geissinger Julia and Valerie Mummau with Linda Geissinger, 2023.

Photos courtesy of Linda Geissinger

Julia, Valerie and Carter Mummau with Linda Geissinger, 2019.

Julia, Valerie and Carter Mummau with Geissinger, 2013.

Julia, Valerie and Carter Mummau, 2013.

Trinity Lutheran Church in McAlisterville

BY REV. KAREN WARD Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, McAlisterville Pastoral Supervisor, Sonbeam Early Learning Center

Sunday, Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. — Children’s Christmas Program - “The Manger” - Yee-haw! Round up your cowboys and cowgirls for this year’s Western-themed Christmas program during worship. Everyone is welcome to wear plaid and/or country-themed clothing as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. — Blue Christmas Service - East Salem Community Church (7398 Route 235, Mifflintown) - A ser-

vice of Remembrance and Hope. Honor your loss, embrace God’s Hope. Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult. Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle - and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. This service is hosted by the Juniata County Ministerium.

Sunday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. — Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Join us as we pause the night before Christmas to reflect on the true story of Jesus

birth and the light that now shines in the darkness. Please note that the service is at 7 p.m. (not 9 p.m.). At the candlelight service we will slow down and spend time in quiet reflection. We will sing songs celebrating Jesus’ birth. Through songs, and prayer, and the shared experience of lighting candles to reflect the light of the world coming into darkness we will turn our hearts to the miracle of Christmas.

Monday, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. — All are welcome to encounter Immanuel, “God with us.” Join us for a morning of prayers, carols and reflection as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. All are welcome to wear Christmas pjs or ugly sweaters.