News

Tradition continues

By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Thursday, December 4, 2008 10:05 AM EST

NILES - Members of the Four Flags Garden Club of Niles have been busy this week, preparing for the 17th Annual Hometown Christmas celebration being held this Saturday, Dec. 6, at the historic Amtrak Depot, 600 Dey St. in Niles.

The event, which is free to the public, is as traditional - some might say - as coming home for the holidays.

And it was that idea - the comfort of being home for the holidays - that started the tradition in the first place. In 1991 a crew for the John Candy film 'Only the Lonely' journeyed to Niles to shoot the movie's last scene, a holiday scene at the depot.

According to the Garden Club's Karen Persa, "For the holiday movie, the studio placed lights on the roof to create a Christmas scene. When they were finished filming, they left the lights."

Garden Club members came together and organized "Hometown Christmas," celebrated each year on the first Saturday in December.

This year, in addition to enjoying "holiday decorations and goodies" and seeing the depot illuminated by the winding strings of Christmas lights, those who attend the lighting will enjoy entertainment and Christmas music by the Treblaires Choral Group of Brandywine High School. Area royalty will be on hand as well as Mayor Pro-Tem Robert Durm, who will make a special address. And - of course -Santa will make a stop at the depot as well.

The lighting ceremony, where the depot's structure will be illuminated by twinkling little lights is scheduled for 6 p.m.

According to information provided by Persa, "Over the years, Amtrak and the City of Niles have pitched in to replace the light bulbs, check the wiring, etc."

A complete overhaul of the lights was needed in 1999, after those that had been used took a beating by weather and time. The Garden Club began looking for donations and through area donors and philanthropists, enough money was raised, "to replace the wiring and the lights and keep the lights burning."

Those who attend the celebration will also have a chance to win two Amtrak tickets from Niles to Chicago. Visitors will receive a numbered ticket when they get to the depot and the winner is scheduled to be announced just after the lighting at 6:15 p.m. Winners must be present.

The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments include candy, homemade cookies and cider.

The Four Flags Garden Club of Niles was formed 42 years ago, currently claims 20 members and offers opportunities in learning tips on horticulture, planting, pruning and landscaping.

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