On Sunday, Bradford seniors will have a chance to see some Christmas lights, enjoy refreshments and each other’s company, and be dazzled by live holiday entertainment.
Sunday evening is when the The Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund will hold its annual senior holiday party Sunday evening in the Mukaiyama University Room at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
“Everything’s set at the university,” said Harrijane Moore, ELF Fund board member and event organizer. She said Kimberly Marsone at Pitt-Bradford has been helpful with arrangements, too.
“The university’s always so cordial and hospitable,” said Moore.
For the past couple of years, the university has taken on the duty of making Christmas cookies, too, with Joel Meyer of Metz Culinary Management helping with arrangements.
She added that she’s talked to Bill Keesler with the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) and Barry Bryan with the Bradford Area School District, and transportation is set for the event.
Each year, ATA and the Bradford school district bus seniors from local nursing homes to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford so they can enjoy the festivities. Along the way, participants have a chance to see Christmas lights.
The highlight of the event is the entertainment, which Bradford Little Theatre has provided for the past three years.
“I think they’re going to be phenomenal,” Moore said. “I know they’re putting a lot of time and effort into it.”
The local theater group will put on an hour-long show called “Carols in Costumes.”
BLT’s Kristin Asinger said the performers look forward to senior holiday party show every year and are grateful to The ELF Fund for inviting them to entertain attendees.
She noted that people will start to arrive at the university around 6 p.m., and the show is slated to take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“We have a wide variety of talent,” said Asinger, who said that among the performers will be Lynne Kuntz, Beckie Feightner, Shane and Bridgette Oschman, Lori Johnson and David Merwine. Two sisters — Khadijah Thomas and R’Nejah Hubbart — will sing “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas.” Chris Lathrop will play Frosty the Snowman, and Jim MacFarlane will play the Grinch.
Local cloggers will dance to two songs. “The clogging is like having drums on their feet. You can feel and hear this rhythm,” said Asinger.
Asinger noted she likes to have some songs that seniors recognize to help them recall “warm memories” of past Christmases. There will be a few new songs, too, as well as a mix of fun songs and ballads.
“I can’t wait to hear them all sing,” said Asinger.
According to Moore, it takes the help of many volunteers to help the event run smoothly, and she is hopeful a good group of volunteers will return for this year’s holiday party.
“We’ve always so appreciated the volunteers we’ve had in the past,” she said, noting The ELF Fund will always welcome back the return of any volunteers interested in coming Sunday.
