56°
“We’ve got over 140 vendors here,” said Committee Chair Paula Chamoun, “and hundreds and hundreds of people are coming in. The PTA has been doing this for over 25 years, and every year it’s bigger and better.”
A blueprint of Holiday Happiness events covers the entire school and includes a tag sale, a wreath sale, a photo station, kids’ attractions, such as face painting, tattoos and sand art, a silent auction of dozens of enticing gifts, and scores and scores of vendor tables.
Among the vendors was high school science teacher, Brian Hugick, who, when he is not teaching, mentoring, and/or leading groups on field trips, is a master potter, whose works have been exhibited at shows and art centers throughout the area.
“We have more unique vendors every year,” said Charnoun, “and it takes over 100 PTA volunteers to put the whole thing together. But it’s worth it. It’s a great family event, something for everybody. The parents shop, the kids play.”
The Parisi children, Gabriella, 8, Thomas, 10, and Mia, 5¾ were excited about what Santa might bring them. The Somers residents are hoping for a dog. “Not a large one, a medium-sized one,” said Gabriella. Thomas agreed. “We all want a dog, except for Mom and Dad.” Mia added that an American Girl doll would be a nice addition.
What are the Parisi family’s traditions at Christmas time? “We all wait at the top of the stairs in the morning about 7:45 and our father goes downstairs and tells us whether there are any presents there. Then we all run down the stairs.”
Anything else? “Yes, we put out carrots for the reindeer. Sometimes we put them on the roof. They’re gone in the morning.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Somers and receive free news updates.
