Peace Candle Lighting Draws a Crowd

By Christina Georgiou

Hundreds gathered in Centre Square Friday evening for Easton's annual Peace Candle Lighting ceremony and related seasonal events, including an appearance by Santa Claus.

Easton historian and centarian Jane Moyer was awarded the Gretchen Wrenshaw Award, which is granted each year to honor community service.

Centarian Jane Moyer received the
Gretchen Wrenshaw Award.

Mayor Sal Panto praised Moyer's life long commitment to the city, noting, "She's put in nearly 100 years of community service too."

"People say Easton’s nothing good anymore,” Moyer said. "But it’s here. We’re full of history."

The privilege of being the Imperial Illuminator--or the person who gets to pull the switch and light the Peace Candle for the first time of the holiday season--was won for a high bid of $280 by Tom Sestak.




Cindy Lytle, second from right, pulls the switch to light the
Easton Peace Candle for the first time of the season, while
her friends, left, and Easton Holiday Committee Chair Sandra
O'Brien-Werner, right, watch.

 But Sestak chose to bequeath the honor on his girlfriend, Cindy Lytle, who pulled the switch with three friends close at hand, to a cheer from the crowd.

As the candle glowed, Panto quipped, "It works. Our city electrician has a job for another year."

In addition to the award and lighting ceremonies, a number of other events and attractions amused the crowd, including performances by Easton Area High School Brass Ensemble, Uptown String Band and TubaChristmas.

An ice sculpting demonstration was sponsored by Velenca restaurant, a petting zoo and the opportunity to explore Easton Public Works heavy equipment and truck amused children, and Cops 'n Kids, sponsored by Just Around the Corner gallery, and gave out popcorn and small toys to children.

Children also decorated a Christmas tree on the Centre Square with ornaments they made at the COPS 'n Kids Reading Room, with the assistance of the Cops 'n' Kids volunteers and the Easton Area High School Red Rovers Basketball Team and Coach Hutnik. Pine cone bird feeders made in the Art in the Alley, an activity provided by the Easton Police Department, were also hung "as a gift to the birds of nature."

A volunteer helps a
child hang a decoration at
the Peace Candle Lighting
Friday evening.
(Photo contributed
by the Easton COPS 'n Kids
Reading Room.)

"We hope that residents will not only appreciate the beauty of the Peace Candle, but also the handiwork of the children who regularly visit the Reading Room to obtain free books on each visit as they come to know the joy of reading," said Judith Dickerson, director of the COPS 'n Kids of Easton reading room.



Retired Easton Police Detective Walt Howell and Patrolman Tim
Wagner give out toys to children



A young lady gets the chance to sit on Patrolman Carl Faulkner's motorcycle.





Scott Miernicki, with his son Wade, 9, sell
brownies and hot chocolate to benefit
College Hill's Cub Scout Pack 3.



Sue Ruggles, of St. John's Lutheran Church, helps children make seasonal crafts.