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White Oak Welcomes Season With Tree-Lighting Ceremony

By Vickie Babyak
The Tube City Almanac
November 19, 2018
Posted in: White Oak News

(All photos: Vickie Babyak, special to Tube City Almanac)

White Oak residents welcomed the holiday season with the lighting of the borough's tree on Saturday evening outside Rainbow Volunteer Fire Co.

Following concerts by the Mon Yough Chorale and the McKeesport Area High School Orchestra, the winner of the borough's coloring contest, Levi Bell, pressed the switch to turn on the tree to cap White Oak's "Season of Lights" celebration.

Bell also received an assortment of prizes donated by White Oak businesses, a spokeswoman said. A pancake "brunch with Santa" included gifts and door prizes. Gavin Goughnour won a Lionel train set and Alyssa Round won an LOL Doll House, the borough said.

More photos follow.


Bernard Aukerman of McKeesport and his son admire a Christmas tree in the Rainbow fire hall.


Kathleen, Dawn and Rick Bayer visit with Santa Claus.


Volunteers Ethel Burns, Michelle Gessner and Debbie Griffith.


Celebrating their years of volunteer service with the fire department include Joe Vrabel (25 years), Ken Pitchford (40 years) and Shirley Pitchford (31 years), along with event volunteer Brianna Reigh.


Above and below, members of the McKeesport Area High School Orchestra, shown with director Sarah Persin, entertained the crowd with a selection of holiday favorites played on strings.


David Stephenson, son Darius, daughter Davaja and family friend Ava Ward, all of McKeesport, look over children's books.


Visitors "strike a pose" with Mrs. Claus.


Volunteers pose with Santa Claus following the end of the program.


Vickie Babyak is a freelance photographer from Dravosburg. For reprints of these photos, contact Vickie Babyak at vbabyak@yahoo.com.

Originally published November 19, 2018.

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