The Homecoming

     So I guess you could say it was a
typical Sunday out....for us!
     We headed out for dinner and were
on our way to check out a camper we
keep near an area lake when I spotted
some cars parked near an old mansion!
     We turned around to check it out and
found ourselves in the midst of 
beautiful decorations, refreshments, a
choral group, crafts for the kids under
the supervision of area Boy Scouts,
a juggler, and, Santa Claus!
      One weekend each December Covington
Township opens its office in the former
Maffat family Mansion  (they once
owned the Maffat Coal Company) and
hosts a Christmas Open house. It's a sort
of "Homecoming" except you're welcome
even if Covington Township isn't,or
wasn't ever, your home!
      It's really great! Especially for the
kids!
      Those crafts I mentioned turn out as
home made Christmas ornaments and/or
backyard treats for the birds. My grand kids
made both.
      They also tried their hand a juggling.
      It seems that's not their calling!
      There was a model train..actually
steam operated.....and they got a chance
to run the controls.
       We all also got a change to climb on
board a wagon pulled by two huge horses
for a short ride to the Township's new
pavilion and playground. The "climb"
part proved a little more challenging for
us older kids. But, heck, it's all for fun.
Right?
       The price was the best part. There
wasn't any! The Township offers this
Christmas treat free of charge as an offer
of Community Christmas Spirit!
       There are opportunities similar to
this one in small towns throughout our
area.
       The Dietrich Theater in Tunkannock,
for instance, offers two free showings of
"It's A Wonderful Life" on December 13th.
       The Plains Township Lions Club
ran it's annual parade escorting Santa into
town last week and handed out more than
200 free goodie bags to all the kids who
turned out.
       I'm sure there are a lot more. In fact
I keep searching for them! I'm getting
better in finding them......but the
"climbing part" may take a bit more
work.
       Hope you're seeking out some of
those community treasures too. If so
I'm certain all your NEWS will be good!