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1. NEW – Wellsboro’s 36th Annual Dickens of a Christmas is This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6, 7 & 8 AND ATTACHED IS THE 2019 Dickens of a Christmas Schedule of Events for Dec. 6, 7 & 8
2. NEW – Dickens Parking, Free Shuttle Service This Saturday, Dec. 7, Etc. for Dickens 2019
3. NEW – Tours of Goodhart’s Inn on Central are This Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13, 14 and 15
4. NEW – Hamilton-Gibson Disney “Frozen Junior” Audition Dates For 3rd-9th Graders are Dec. 9, 11 & 12 for Blossburg Winter Theatre Arts Camp
5. NEW – Messiah Community Sing is Sunday, Dec. 15; Singers Invited to Practice Online Now And Attend a Community Practice on Monday, Dec. 9
6. NEW – Golden Afternoons Program with Donna Emmick is Tuesday, Dec. 10
7. NEW – Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Craft Show and Bake Sale is Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 & 14
8. NEW – Deane Little Beans Photos with Santa is Friday, Dec. 13
9. NEW – Wellsboro Women’s Chorus, Barbershop Eight and Bell Ringers Sing-Along is Friday, Dec. 13
10. NEW – Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries Pet Photos with Santa to be in Mansfield on Saturday, Dec. 14, Wellsboro on Friday, Dec. 20 and Tioga on Saturday, Dec. 21
11. NEW – Jane Bunnett & Maqueque with Guest Vocalist Nikki D. Brown to Perform Special Holiday Show on Saturday, Dec. 14 as Third Concert in Wellsboro Community Concert Association Series
12. NEW – A Nashville Christmas is Friday, Dec. 20

Diane Eaton
dianetn@ptd.net
(570) 724-3800

WELLSBORO’S 36TH ANNUAL DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS IS THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DEC. 6, 7 & 8

The 36th Annual Dickens of a Christmas is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6, 7 and 8 in Wellsboro.

On Saturday, there will be 216 Dickens artists, craftsmen and food vendors, both indoors and outdoors. The business section of Wellsboro’s Main Street and two side streets, closed to motorized vehicles, will magically transform into an outdoor Victorian marketplace with 100 artisans offering delightful wares for holiday gift giving or to keep and 35 food vendors with delectable fare to eat or to give as gifts.

Promptly at 9 a.m., the town crier will greet everyone with the ringing of his bell.

The Dickens Fezziwig Street Performers will take the stage at the intersection of Crafton and Main. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig will welcome the crowd and do the Sir Roger de Coverley contra dance with their entourage.

“The Fezziwigs are characters from Charles Dickens’ book, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and embody the best of the holiday season,” said Thomas Putnam of Hamilton-Gibson Productions. Our street performers will be greeting guests and locals with warmth, music, good cheer and good fun. Passersby are always encouraged to join in no matter what is being performed or where,” Putnam added.

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7, an additional 32 art, craft and food vendors will be found indoors at the United Methodist Church and Wellsboro Active Living Center plus 49 more on Saturday when the Indoor/Outdoor Craft Show opens at the Wellsboro Firemen’s Annex on East Avenue.

The Dickens Best Dressed Showcase is celebrating its fourth anniversary with prizes valued at $1,000 for the first place winner along with prizes for second place and other participants. Registration for the contest is between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday. At 1 p.m., judges will select the Best Dressed for Dickens 2019.

Everyone (in costume or not) is invited to participate in Saturday’s 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Victorian Strolls on Main Street.

“It all adds up to a lot of fun,” said Julie VanNess, Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Seeing people enjoying themselves and coming together as Dickens’ characters along with singers and musicians willingly sharing their talents is really refreshing and in keeping with the holiday spirit. Having a good time is what our festival is all about.”

At 5 p.m. Saturday night, the Candlelight Walk for Peace will begin at Packer Park on Queen Street and at 5:30 p.m. the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on The Green with Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen Allison Diehl, a senior at Millville Area High School; Santa Claus and a carol sing.

Hamilton-Gibson will present A Dickens of a Concert Friday night and six performances of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Deane Center’s two theaters on Saturday and one performance on Sunday.

All three days, the Arcadia Theater is showing the film “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” which is about Charles Dickens and how he came to write “A Christmas Carol”, published 176 years ago this December.

Local churches will host a variety of indoor events Friday and Saturday. Among them are a Dickens of a Dinner, lunches, concerts, a display of model trains, a cookie sale and in the spirit of helping others, an Alternative Giving Christmas Fair with entertainment and refreshments.

For more information or the schedule of events, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce by calling (570) 724-1926, emailing info@wellsboropa.com or visiting http://www.wellsboropa.com.

Photo by John Eaton
Singing, dancing and lots of fun provided free by musicians, choral groups and the Fezziwig Street Performers dressed in Victorian garb is what Wellsboro’s Dickens of A Christmas is all about.

Photo by Tim McBride
Town Crier Phil Waber rings his bell to open Wellsboro’s Victorian marketplace for the Dickens of a Christmas celebration and greet visitors.

Dickens of a Christmas
2019 Schedule of Events
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

Friday, December 6

All Day: Area Merchants Sales & Discounts

All Day: Department 56 Dickens Village Display – Deane Center Windows

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Indoor Book Sale – Green Free Library

3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Indoor Craft Show – United Methodist Church

3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Indoor Craft Show, Food – Wellsboro Active Living Center

4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Dickens of a Dinner – Trinity Lutheran Church

7:15 p.m.: Movie: “The Man Who Invented Christmas” – Arcadia Theater

7:30 p.m.: Dickens of a Concert – St. Peter’s Catholic Church

Saturday, December 7

All Day: Area Merchants Sales & Discounts

All Day: Department 56 Dickens Village Display – Deane Center Windows

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Indoor Craft Show, Food – Wellsboro Active Living Center

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Indoor Craft Show – United Methodist Church

9:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.: Open House & Refreshments – Tioga County Historical Society; Robinson House Museum

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Model Train Show, Cookie Sale – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Street Vendors, Musicians & Performers – Outdoors on Downtown Streets

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Indoor/Outdoor Craft Show, Food – Wellsboro Fireman’s Annex

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Professional Dickens Portraits – October Rain Photography Studio; 19 Crafton Street

9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.: Trolley Rides to Highland Chocolates Factory Tours – First Citizens Community Bank

9:30 a.m.: – Wellsboro High Dickens Choir – Arcadia Theater

10:00 a.m.: Victorian Stroll – Meet at Deane Center Outdoor Stage

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Best Dressed Contest Registration – Deane Center Lobby

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Alternative Giving Christmas Fair, Refreshments & Music – First Presbyterian Church

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Open House & Refreshments – Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. : Lunch, Church Tours, Thrift Shop – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Live Music & Refreshments – United Methodist Church

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Indoor Book Sale – Green Free Library

10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Open House, Tours & Refreshments – Goodhart’s Inn; 49 Central Avenue

10:30 a.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Deane Center Coolidge Theatre

10:30 a.m.: Movie: “The Man Who Invented Christmas” – Arcadia Theater

11:00 a.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Warehouse Theatre

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Open House & Refreshments – Green Free Library

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Regional Art Exhibit & Refreshments – Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center

12:30 p.m.: Movie: “The Man Who Invented Christmas” – Arcadia Theater

1:00 p.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Warehouse Theatre

1:00 p.m.: Dickens Best Dressed Contest Judging – Deane Center Outdoor Stage

1:30 p.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Deane Center Coolidge Theatre

2:00 p.m.: Victorian Stroll – Meet at Deane Center Outdoor Stage

2:30 p.m.: Movie: “The Man Who Invented Christmas” – Arcadia Theater

3:00 p.m.: Wellsboro Men’s Chorus – Arcadia Theater

3:20 p.m.: Wellsboro Women’s Chorus – Arcadia Theater

3:30 p.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Deane Center Coolidge Theatre

3:40 p.m.: Combined Chorus Sing-along – Arcadia Theater

4:00 p.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Warehouse Theatre

4:00 p.m.: Choral Evensong Service – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

5:00 p.m.: Candlelight Walk for Peace – Packer Park to The Green

5:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa – The Green

Sunday, December 8

All Day: Department 56 Dickens Village Display – Deane Center Window

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Open House, Tours & Refreshments – Goodhart’s Inn; 49 Central Avenue

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Regional Art Exhibit – Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center

2:15 p.m.: Movie: “The Man Who Invented Christmas” – Arcadia Theater

2:30 p.m.: HG Productions “A Christmas Carol” – Warehouse Theatre

For a finalized schedule & map of events, ATMs, parking and restroom facilities, visit www.wellsboropa.com or local restaurants, motels and shops or call (570) 724-1926.

DICKENS PARKING, FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE THIS SATURDAY, DEC. 7, ETC. FOR DICKENS 2019

For Wellsboro’s Dickens of a Christmas celebration, streets will be closed to traffic and parking this Saturday, Dec. 7. Free parking will be available at other locations as well as parking for a fee. Also offered is a free shuttle service into and out of Wellsboro. There is also a designated emergency route for ambulances.

Streets closed
Starting at 8 a.m. and continuing through 4 p.m. this Saturday, the following streets will be closed: Main Street from the East Avenue traffic light to the Central Avenue traffic light and Crafton and Waln streets from Pearl Street to Water Street.

Overnight Parking
By 6 a.m. Saturday morning, all vehicles must be removed from Main, Crafton and Waln streets. Those planning to park overnight in one of the areas that will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, should make other parking arrangements. Those who don’t, risk having their vehicles towed at their expense.

Free parking
Wellsboro Borough is allowing free parking at all metered spots within the community this Saturday. Those parking at meters at Wellsboro’s municipal parking lots on Water Street and Pearl Street will not be ticketed during the celebration; however, the Wellsboro Police Department will strictly enforce all other parking restrictions.

Free parking will also be available at the following locations: the Tioga County Commissioners parking lot at the Tioga County Courthouse, Main Street, Wellsboro; at the Wellsboro Borough municipal parking lots on Water and Pearl streets as well as at the parking lot behind the Wellsboro Active Living Center next to Packer Park on Queen Street.

Parking for a fee
Parking for a small fee to benefit local, nonprofit groups will be available at locations throughout the community.

Free Shuttle Services
There will be free shuttle services to downtown Dickens festivities. Buses will operate continuously between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to shuttle visitors to downtown Wellsboro from the Wellsboro Plaza on Route 6 (East Avenue) and from the Wellsboro High School on Nichols Street. During those times, shuttles will also transport visitors back to the Wellsboro Plaza and to Wellsboro High School.

Emergency Route
Walnut Street has been designated an “Emergency Route” for ambulances traveling to Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department on Dickens weekend. No parking will be permitted along the Emergency Route.

FMI
For more information, call the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at (570) 724-1926.

TOURS OF GOODHART’S INN ON CENTRAL ARE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DEC. 7 AND 8 AND FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DEC. 13, 14 AND 15

Jeff and Laura Goodhart, owners of Goodhart’s Inn on Central, are inviting the public to an open house at their bed and breakfast at 49 Central Avenue in Wellsboro during this weekend’s Dickens of a Christmas and next weekend’s Christmas on Main Street.

For the open house, the Goodharts, dressed Victorian style, will welcome guests from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 7 and from 10 a.m. to noon this Sunday, Dec. 8, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14; and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 15.

“We are planning to move to Wellsboro,” Laura said. “I’ve been a teacher for 28 years.” Jeff finishes metallic surfaces of all types through his business Polish This.

“We officially opened the inn on Thursday, Aug. 1, and, in September when I returned to teaching, went to weekends only through the beginning of November. We were really busy,” said Laura. “A couple of weeks ago, we shut down so we could decorate the inn for Christmas.”

During the open house, Christmas music will be playing on a victrola and Shiny Brite ornaments will be on display

Visitors who tour the inn will see how the couple has not only retained the home’s original Victorian character but enhanced it with antique furniture and other period décor that return it to the look of the 1800s, when it was originally built.

The Goodharts have decorated six live evergreen trees ranging from seven to nine feet tall depending on the height of the ceiling in the room where each is located. “Every tree has a specific theme,” Laura explained. “One is decorated with hand-painted street gas lights on blue and white glass balls and two others with vintage ornaments. A 12-foot standard gauge train and village is set up under one of the trees.

“Guests will be treated to our signature hot chocolate and light snacks and receive a keepsake ornament, similar in appearance to one of the gas lamps on Wellsboro’s boulevards,” Laura said. Admission is $5.

Photo by John Eaton
Dressed Victorian style, Laura Goodhart (shown) will welcome visitors to tour the Goodhart’s Inn on Central at Wellsboro.

HAMILTON-GIBSON DISNEY “FROZEN JUNIOR” REGISTRATION AND AUDITION DATES FOR 3RD-9TH GRADERS ARE DEC. 9, 11 & 12 FOR BLOSSBURG WINTER THEATRE ARTS CAMP

Thomas Putnam, Hamilton-Gibson Productions artistic director, has announced registration and audition dates and locations for the “Frozen Junior” Winter Theater Arts Camp in Blossburg.

The musical is based on the 2013 film “Frozen” that centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses. Anna sets off on a journey with rugged iceman Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven and naive snowman Olaf to find Elsa whose icy powers have trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. In March 2014, Frozen became the first film by Walt Disney Animation Studios to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and won the Best Original Song award for “Let It Go”.

“The movie and songs are very familiar to many students and adults,” said Putnam. “There are both singing and speaking roles and a wonderfully large chorus so everyone can be involved. Those who want to be in the chorus do not have to audition but must attend registration,” Putnam added.

The Blossburg camp is open to third through ninth graders who are homeschooled or attend public or private schools in the Galeton Area, Wellsboro Area and Southern Tioga school districts.

Auditions and sign ups will start after school at 3:30 p.m. this coming Monday, Dec. 9 at the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro; on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Warren L. Miller Elementary School at 1 Dorsett Drive in Mansfield; and Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Blossburg Elementary School at 133 Hannibal Street in Blossburg.

Participating youth will learn the parts and music of Disney’s “Frozen Junior” in preparation for live performances. The 11-day camp will be at the Blossburg School Auditorium after school from 3:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 2 and 3, Monday through Friday, Jan. 6-10, Monday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 15 and 16 and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 11.

The campers will give 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. performances of “Frozen” for students on Friday, Jan. 17 and Pay-What-You-Can performances for the public at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 18. All of the performances will be in the Blossburg School Auditorium.

The fee for students to attend the Blossburg camp is $69, which includes a camp T-shirt, script/score, CD and instruction in theatre arts. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid when the youth signs up for camp. There are discounts for siblings. Scholarships are available to assist with the fee.

On registration and audition days, parents will be asked to sign permission slips to allow their children to participate in the camp and performances. Students who earn roles in the cast will be given the “Frozen Junior” script and CD to take home and will be expected to memorize their lines and songs by the first day of camp, Jan. 2.

Sponsoring the Blossburg camp is UPMC Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital. For more information about the auditions, scholarships and camp, call the HG office at (570) 724-2079, email hamgib@gmail.com or visit hamiltongibson.org.

MESSIAH COMMUNITY SING IS SUNDAY, DEC. 15; SINGERS INVITED TO PRACTICE INDIVIDUALLY ONLINE NOW AND ATTEND A COMMUNITY PRACTICE ON MONDAY, DEC. 9

Hamilton-Gibson Productions is presenting the 16th Annual “Messiah” Community Sing on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Pearl Street in Wellsboro.

Composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, the “Messiah” is the signal work of the Christmas season for millions of people around the world, primarily because of the “Hallelujah” chorus.

Coordinating the community sing is Thomas Putnam, HG artistic director. “It lasts about an hour,” Putnam said. “Handel took text from the Bible to tell the Christmas story. The music is beautiful. There are five choruses that those attending can sing together. Mansfield University choral program students sing the solos. Everyone is welcome to come and sing–or listen,” said Putnam.

Sopranos, altos, tenors and baritones who want to sing the choruses can practice their parts individually online by going to https://bit.ly/2IWHx4L and/or attend the practice session on Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Community Room at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. On Dec. 9, each vocal section will work separately on their vocal line and then all will come together to sing the choruses.

Peggy Dettwiler, Mansfield University’s Choral Activities director, will conduct. At Mansfield, she conducts the Concert Choir, Festival Chorus and Chamber Singers and teaches choral conducting and methods.

Audience members who want to sing the choruses are encouraged to sit in the soprano, alto, tenor and bass vocal sections on Dec. 15. Musical scores will be provided or participants can bring their own.

There will be plenty of room for audience members who choose to listen to all of the music but not sing.

Soloists from Mansfield University include: sopranos, Deanna Mogianesi of Macungie, Molly Cerep of Scranton, Quessa Brown of Elmira Heights, N.Y. and Jessica Neidinger of Duncannon; mezzo-soprano, Jessica Nistad of Hawley; bass-baritones, Matthew Merolla of Dalton and Tyler Boyles of Cogan Station; baritone, Robert Flora of Owings, Maryland; and tenor, Kyle Cannon of Marathon, New York. The students are Vocal Performance or Music Education majors or both. Boyles is in Music Technology.

Ken Myers of Port Allegheny will be on keyboard. Also featured will be a string quartet including Dr. Kenneth Sarch and David Lassitur, both on violin; Jessica Kashetta on viola and Colleen Helmacy on cello. They are from the Williamsport area.

To practice online, use this shortened URL: https://bit.ly/2IWHx4L or go to the Hamilton-Gibson website (hamilton-gibson.org), determine your voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and click the link underneath that part to go to a YouTube video to read the part/words and hear the part being sung.

Those who cannot get the QR code to work on the website or the shortened URL can call (570) 724-2079 or email hamgib@gmail.com for help.

Bob and Marsha Chesko are sponsors of this event. Admission at the door is Pay-What-You-Can. Proceeds will benefit the Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs. No reservations are required.

Photo provided
Peggy Dettwiler will conduct the “Messiah” Community Sing on Sunday, Dec. 15.

GOLDEN AFTERNOONS PROGRAM WITH DONNA EMMICK IS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

This coming Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m., the Deane Center’s Golden Afternoons program will feature Donna Emmick of Wellsboro presenting a Chair PiYo winter workout in the Deane Center lobby at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Those attending will learn moves they can do at home. It is free and open to people ages 55 and up. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.

“For this Golden Afternoons program, I will be showing participants how to do a modified version of PiYo, a Pilates and yoga fusion workout,” said Emmick. “We will do stretching and simple calisthenic moves while sitting and standing. During these exercises, we will use chairs on mats for stability. It is a great workout to improve balance, strength and flexibility and helps with blood circulation,” she added. “I love teaching fitness classes. It is a wonderful way to get fit, make new friends and show folks that working out can be fun,” said Emmick, who is certified and licensed in many different fitness formats.

For more information, call the Deane Center at (570) 724-6220.

SOLDIERS + SAILORS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY CRAFT SHOW AND BAKE SALE IS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, DEC. 13 & 14

The Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Craft Show and Bake Sale is Friday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountain Laurel Board Room and the Cedar, Hemlock and Pine Grove conference rooms, all on the hospital’s first floor. More than 20 vendors with a variety of local crafts, candles, essential oils, woodworking, crocheted/knitted Christmas items, LuLaRoe clothing, etc.

In the front lobby, see the Shiny Brite ornaments on display at the hospital’s gift shop, participate in a 50/50 raffle and check out the bake sale offerings, including warm bread pudding and a large assortment of holiday treats..

All proceeds from this auxiliary event will benefit the ALS Ambulance Project.

The hospital entrance is on Grant Street, three blocks from Wellsboro’s Main Street via Central Avenue.For more information contact Faith Preston at (570) 723-0191 or prestonf@upmc.edu.

DEANE LITTLE BEANS PHOTOS WITH SANTA IS FRIDAY, DEC. 13

Friday, Dec. 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Deane Little Beans Photos with Santa will be in the lobby and the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. This event is free and open to children and their parents.

After sharing what he or she wants for Christmas, each child will have a picture taken with Santa and be given a 4-by 6-inch color photograph free to take home. Children from the same family will be in one photo with Santa.

The children will meet Hamilton-Gibson’s Elder Elves and while waiting for their turn will enjoy snacks, do fun holiday activities and crafts with all supplies provided free, listen to Christmas stories, join in Christmas carol sing-alongs, and take part in the coloring contest. Coloring pages and supplies will be given to the children. Winners in several age categories will be announced at 8 p.m. They will receive small, fun prizes.

Sponsors of this Deane Little Beans program are Indigo Wireless, Xtreme Internet and the Deane Center.

Parents can pre-register their children to participate in this event during one of four one-hour time slots, 4 to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. by visiting https://www.signupgenius.com/go/SantaPhoto or are welcome to stop in the night of the event between 4 and 8 p.m. Fifty children will be registered for each one-hour time slot. Only 10 walk-ins will be accepted per hour.

Photo provided
Just like this little boy, many children happily sat on Santa’s lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas during last year’s Photos with Santa.

SING-A-LONG WITH WELLSBORO WOMEN’S CHORUS, BARBERSHOP EIGHT AND BELL RINGERS ON FRIDAY, DEC. 13

At 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, join the Wellsboro Women’s Chorus with Judy Smithgall at the piano, the Barbershop Eight with Marian Miller at the organ and six bell ringers directed by Marian Miller for a Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long for children and adults at the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro. Song sheets will be available for all participants. Admission is free.

SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SANCTUARIES PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA TO BE IN MANSFIELD ON SATURDAY, DEC. 14; WELLSBORO ON FRIDAY, DEC. 20 AND TIOGA ON SATURDAY, DEC. 21

Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries is hosting its 17th annual Pet Photos with Santa at Tractor Supply in Mansfield on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 20 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Rockwell’s Feed Farm and Pet Supply on Shumway Hill Road, just off Route 6 near Wellsboro; and Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tioga Fire Hall on Rarick Drive in Tioga Borough.

Santa will be at each location to pose with animals of all types, from dogs and cats to snakes, guinea pigs, goats, chickens, horses, etc. as well as with children, grandchildren and families.

For a $5 donation, receive a 4-inch by 6-inch cardstock framed color photo, and for a $10 donation, an 8-inch by 10-inch cardstock framed color photo. All proceeds will benefit stray and abandoned animals at Second Chance’s Heading Home Center in Middlebury Township.

For more information call (570) 376-3646, email secondchanceAs@yahoo.com or visit the center’s Facebook page.

Photo provided
Santa prepares to hear Christmas wishes from Coke, Pepsi and Sprite, members of the Rob and Teresa Spencer family.

JANE BUNNETT & MAQUEQUE WITH GUEST VOCALIST NIKKI D. BROWN TO PERFORM SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOW ON SATURDAY, DEC. 14 AS THIRD CONCERT IN WELLSBORO COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION SERIES

Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque (pronounced Mah-Keh-Keh) will entrance listeners with their spirited, joyous brand of Afro-Cuban jazz that would have made Dizzy Gillespie smile.

For this holiday show, the group will take it up a notch with their special guest Nikki D. Brown on sacred steel guitar and soulful vocals to add a few seasonal songs to the mix. This is the third concert of the Wellsboro Community Concert Association’s 2019-2020 season.

Bunnett, a veteran jazz icon, composer and proud Canadian, who has earned five Juno awards, three Grammy nominations and Canada’s highest civilian award, has created something new and phenomenal in the world of jazz.

Five years ago, Bunnett started Maqueque as a project to record and mentor young, brilliant, Cuban female musicians. The women she chose are conservatory trained and schooled in the Afro-Cuban tradition. Today, this all-female Cuban jazz band is recognized as one of the top performers on the North American jazz scene.

In the last year, Bunnett and the band have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, were featured on National Public Radio’s program “Jazz Night in America”, and most recently were voted one of the top ten jazz groups by DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.

Their third CD, “On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme” was released on Sept. 6 of this year and is a bold testament to Bunnett and Maqueque’s strength and originality. “This band sounds like no other today in Jazz,” writes DownBeat magazine.

How did Jane Bunnett and Maqueque evolve from a project to support and honor the new generation of young Cuban women jazz players and composers, to a Grammy nominated, critically acclaimed band that is in demand internationally at major Jazz festivals?

Find out. Maqueque is on the move and is inviting audiences to come along for the ride.

Admission at the door is $20 for adults and $5 for students and children.

Information, tickets and season ticket subscription forms are available by visiting www.wellsborocca.org, stopping in at the Deane Center at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro or by calling (570) 724-6220.

Photo provided
Pictured are Jane Bunnett (front) surrounded by the members of Maqueque.

A NASHVILLE CHRISTMAS IS FRIDAY, DEC. 20

A Nashville Christmas, a concert featuring traditional Christmas songs and classic country music, is coming to the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts in Wellsboro, Pa. at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20.

The talented, national touring cast of Country Jamboree featuring the Saddle Up All Star Band and male and female vocalists will perform holiday tunes along with traditional country music by legendary artists such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and more. Among the songs are: “Jingle Bells”, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “Rudolph,” “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, “Jackson” and “Hey Good Lookin’.”

Performers include vocalists, Miss Jeanne Monroe, Lady Di St. James and Jim Ed Moore; and band members Major McCain and Buck McAllister, both on guitar; Tex Baker on keyboard; Jackson Jackson on bass; Luther Jackson on pedal steel guitar; and Dallas Tanner on drums. All of the band members also sing.

Admission is $25 and $22 for adults 65 and older. For tickets call the Deane Center at (570) 724-6220 or visit www.deanecenter.com.

Photo provided
The cast of Country Jamboree is bringing A Nashville Christmas to Wellsboro.