BY BILL HALBFOERSTER, The Home News
The Christmas holiday season was launched in Bath on Sunday evening as the tree lights were turned on at Monocacy Creek Park by Mayor and Mrs. Donald Wunderler.
Leading the program was Rev. Jay R. Wetzel, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He introduced Msgr. Francis Nave, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, who gave the invocation.
This was followed by remarks from Bath Borough Council President Robert Fields, who noted the many accomplishments in Bath the past year. One was painting of a flagpole for the park, which will have the American, Pennsylvania, and Borough flags flying from it. He introduced Councilpersons Mark Saginario, John Kearns, Michael Reph, Carol Bear-Heckman, and Kathryn Roberts, all of them wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jim Spengler, vice president of the Bath Lions Club, said the Lions are happy to decorate the tree each year, and welcomed men and women who could join the Lions in serving the community.
State Representative Marcia Hahn said she was thankful to take part in the ceremony in her home town as a way of bringing holiday cheer. She then presented a House of Representative citation to Mayor Wunderler for his eight years as Mayor and for his many other services in the community.
Mayor-elect “Fi” Mirabito said she has big shoes to fill when she assumes her position in January; wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and expressed her thanks that the community of Bath has a ceremony like this for the holidays.
After the tree lights were turned on by the Wunderler’s, everyone was given a candle, donated by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Rehrig. They were lit and then everyone sang “Silent Night”. The Rev. Frances Merkel, pastor of Christ U.C.C. Church blessed the tree.
Shortly afterward as people sang “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” he arrived and distributed bags of candy to all the children. About 100 people attended the ceremony on a cool, but pleasant December night.
Also shining brightly in the park is a snowman and snow woman that was purchased by the Bath 275th Anniversary Committee. Proudly standing by it were Barry Fenstermaker and Mrs. Mirabito, co-chairmen of the committee.
