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Ransomville celebrates 25 years of Lighting of the Wreaths

by jmaloni
Fri, Nov 16th 2012 11:25 pm

Preview by Matt Riley

On Sunday, Nov. 25, Ransomville will celebrate its 25th annual Lighting of the Wreaths event.

Members of the Fillmore Chapel United Methodist Church have taken charge of revitalizing the event for its silver anniversary, along with the Lions Club and other community members and businesses. This year, "We are especially pleased to support the Ransomville Care-n-Share Food Pantry and the Ransomville Ambulance Fund," says Claudia Fleckenstein, chair of the committee planning the festivities.

The day kicks off with the Lions Club's annual breakfast, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 2589 Youngstown-Lockport Road. Breakfast is $7 per person and free for children under 5. Proceeds benefit "Christmas in Our Community," which provides Christmas baskets to families in need during the holidays.

For lunch the Masons will sponsor a chowder sale with free popcorn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Open houses all around the hamlet will give participants a great reason to explore the area.

"It is a great time to come out to see friends and neighbors and visit our local businesses," says Fleckenstein.

Every open house also will be a drop-off location for non-perishable goods to be donated to the Ransomville Care-n-Share Food Pantry. Programs with schedule and information about the days' activities will be at every open house.

There will also be a raffle for several gift cards in the Ransomville firehall at the end of the day. Entry forms for the raffle will have Christmas trees; each open house you visit will stamp an ornament on the tree from 1 to 3 p.m. Open house participants include Country Charm, First Niagara Bank, Johnston's, Little Joe's Pizza, Patti's Cut Above, Ransomville Baptist Church, Rocky's Pizza, ScotPc Systems and Stevenson Hardware.

Throughout the open houses there will be additional activities.

"There is something for everyone of any age," says Fleckenstein.

Ki-Po Motors will host Country Line Dancers at 1:30 p.m. There will be a craft sale at Ransomville Manor; the United Methodist Church will hold a gently used clothing collection; and there will be free horse-and-carriage rides at the library. The Ransomville Historical Room will have a celebratory exhibit of the 200th anniversary of the Town of Porter as well as clowns and face painting.

The Ransomville firehall will be bustling with activity. Bring the children for pictures with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at 1 p.m. and a magic show at 2 p.m. There will be a basket raffle benefitting the Ransomville Ambulance Fund and the Care-n-Share Food Pantry will have a booth set up. After a wood carving demonstration will be a raffle to win a carved Santa.

The closing ceremony takes place at 3:30 p.m. in the firehall. Organized by the Ransomville Ministerial Association, Sue Hillman and Elaine Moltrup, the event will include remembrances of the past 25 years as well as the traditional lighting of the wreath.

Sponsors of the days' activities include: the Town of Porter, Modern Corporation, Waste Management, Ransomville Business and Professional Association, Ray's Tavern, Ransomville Bus Lines, Ransomville Manor, Laurie and Ron Crosby, Ruth Ann Buzzard and Senek Farms.

Children sit with Santa at a previous Lighting of the Wreaths. (file photo)

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