The full room of merrymakers listened attentively when performers with Bradford Little Theatre took the stage Sunday evening at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The performance was just part of the evening of festivities at The Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund’s annual senior holiday party, held in the university’s Mukaiyama University Room.
“This is one of our favorite shows we do,” said BLT’s Kristin Asinger, as she explained to the crowd that this was the third year the theater group has been invited to perform at the senior holiday party.
The variety show-style performance of “Carols in Costumes” offered a mix of old and new songs, starting with a “sneak peek” of two songs from an upcoming show. Asinger said Sunday’s audience was the first to enjoy songs from the cast of BLT’s youth production of Disney’s Frozen Jr. The youth production will be BLT’s first show of 2020, with performances on Jan. 10, 11 and 12.
After banter by familiar Christmastime characters Frosty (Chris Lathrop) and The Grinch (Jim MacFarlane), the audience heard sisters Khadijah Thomas and R’Nejah Hubbart sing “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas,” followed by the footwork of the Allegheny Mountain Cloggers and more.
A good-sized crowd was there to enjoy the show.
“I bet there’s 150 people,” said Harrijane Moore, making a quick estimation as she scanned the room. Moore is the ELF Fund board member who heads organizing of the holiday party.
She said many helped put the party on, including the Kiwanis Club and members of the high school Key Club, drivers with ATA and BASD, and, of course, Santa Claus himself was in attendance.
“You couldn’t have the event without Santa,” Moore said.
Metz Culinary Management provided Christmas cookies and hot chocolate, too.
The evening began with bus drivers from the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) and Bradford Area School District picking up many of the participants from local nursing homes.
ATA driver Angela Anthony was pleased that she’s been helping drive the seniors to the event for almost 15 years, noting that she knows some of them because they ride the bus regularly.
“It’s always a pleasure to bring these folks,” said Denny Roesch, another ATA driver. He noted the party-goers enjoy going for a ride and seeing the Christmas lights along the way.
The Era talked to several attendees about what brought them out on Sunday.
“It’s very enjoyable, and you see a lot of people you know,” said Donna Whitford, who had been to the holiday a couple times in the past as a member of the Greater Bradford Senior Activity Center. On Sunday she came from The Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
“This is a nice outing for the people that are in the nursing homes especially — as well as for people who aren’t,” said attendee Theresa Bond.
“It’s nice to honor the seniors in our community by having a special program,” added a representative of the Books N Barks program at Bradford Area Public Library.
For her part, Nancy Hepfer, a senior center member who came with husband Steve, said, “We just came out for the entertainment and something new.”
It’s the first time the couple had been to the event.
Steve Hepfer said he really appreciates all that The ELF Fund does for the community and the senior center.
The ELF Fund began in 1983 as a Christmas gift-giving program for needy children in the Bradford area. Seniors were soon added to the list of gift recipients.
In recent years, the organization has found ways to help the community all year.
The ELF Fund’s Christmas season activities will conclude Friday with its annual gift distribution.
