“The Hometown Christmas Celebration was a smashing success again this year due to the generous support and involvement of the community,” said Chris Wendt, chairperson of the organizing committee for the Saturday, Dec. 12 event. “There is also a whole “village” of people behind the scenes that make this happen and involves several months of preparation.”

Almost balmy temperatures brought out hundreds of Rose Hillians to enjoy the day’s activities with family and friends. There were  36 fitness conscious runners who came out in the morning, many staying for breakfast.

Trudi Mankins’ Amazing Catering prepared and served a sausage and egg casserole, cheesy potatoes and cinnamon cake at the Rose Hill Recreation Center. Breakfast sold out by 9:30 a.m. having served over 200 guests, bringing in more than $600.

Bidding began on over 80 items on the silent auction with the winners being announced in the evening.

While parents had coffee, the kids whispered their Christmas wishes to Santa as Bev Leete and James Patterson captured the moment on film and printed free pictures of it.   The more than 200 pictures can also be found on the Rose Hill Hometown Christmas page on Facebook.

As the children waited for pictures, Jason and Shanna LaCoss made sure they got their letters written and addressed to Santa at the North Pole just so he didn’t forget anything. Santa promised to answer each one.

Girl Scout leader Trisha Walls and her girls spent the morning helping youngsters construct 175 gingerbread houses. This is no small feat as the prep work is very labor intensive. The Girl Scouts also assisted with the set up of the silent auction.

Recycled Christmas ornaments were the highlight of The Rose Hill High School Green Club project station. Sponsor Roger Grier led club members Hayley Cantrell, Adrienne Culbertson, Chase Garza, Christian Polk, Riley Wilson, Janessa McMains, Hunter Gunnarson, Morgan Gunnarson, Jarrett Grier and Brock Heiskell to help the kids make over 100 glitter glitz bottles, 65 bird feeders, 45 puffy penguins and over 100 bottle bottom tree ornaments.

People left the RHRC and made their way to the multipurpose gym where over 40 vendors had set up shop displaying their wares of handmade wooden holiday crafts, jewelry, candles, sweet treats and iron and metal home decor items. The Wichita Train Club with Jerald and Rusty Peterson was set up and kept the kids entertained as they watched the trains blow real smoke and sound their whistles while their parents shopped.

A 50/50 donation was taken by Rhonda Taylor to benefit next year’s celebration and brought in $183. Colby Wells was the drawing winner of $91.50.

Just outside the gym door Rose Hill Boy Scouts of Troop 626 had their winter camping expo and had roasted over 70 dogs in an hour. for people. Scoutmaster Doug Burnham led Scouts Luke Treiber, Gideon Burnham, Luke Slater, Brayden Daly and Evan Fiegenbaum in the demonstration.

The lunch crowd found their way to Louis’ Rose Hill Cafe where Louis served a special Creole gumbo, potato salad, and homemade desserts. According to Louis’ the blackberry cobbler was a real hit. Over flow seating was hosted in the Rose Room by Gina Mortimer from Fountainview.

Old fashioned trolleys “Maggie and Molly” plied the streets from the RHRC to the Fountainview Nursing Home with some who did nothing but just ride all afternoon.

There were two horse and carriages this year hitched at the Rose Hill Historical Museum which didn’t get a break all afternoon. They clip-clopped around the historical square with their passengers. “This is the most popular feature on the afternoon schedule and we added a second one to cut down on the lines and wait time,” stated Wendt. It typified the “old fashioned” theme of yesteryear. Larry Shiblom brought his portable smithy and demonstrated the lost of metal forging for the young generation.

Historical Society President Keith Cox and his wife Gloria showed kids how to make gooey chocolate s’mores treats over an open fire pit under the trees at the museum as they waited for the carriage ride. According to his daughter Cindy Bradford, they made “hundreds” that day. Inside was a vintage toy show.

Santa had given his two Elves Mistletoe and Holly the day off from the toy shop to join Rose Hill Public Librarian Cindy Maxey tell Christmas stories. “That must mean that Santa thinks Rose Hill is pretty special since it’s so close to Christmas to spare his Elves,” said Maxey.

Santa arrived at the Pleasant School Center after feeding and exercising the reindeer. Butler County Fire District #3 brought him in on Engine 31 with lights flashing and sirens to announce his arrival. Jonah Robson spent the afternoon taking over 150 more free pictures of Santa with the kids which are also posted on the Rose Hill Hometown Christmas page on Facebook.

Santa’s assistant of over 35 years, Helen McMurphy, served homemade cookies that Santa had requested Rose Hill Senior Center Director Rhonda Cooper to make for him, all 30 dozen of them. McMurphy added punch for an afternoon treat.

As the children waited for pictures Kathy Tran, Trevor Johnson and Becky Reirson helped them write more letters to the Jolly Old Elf. In all, over 130 letters were expressed mailed to the North Pole Monday, Dec. 14 by the Rose Hill Post Office.

Rose Hill 4-H Rustlers, Cheryl Shock, Teresa Merck with Roman and Elliot Merck, had a prime selection of pettable animals for kids to touch and cuddle as they munched on fresh popcorn in front of the Pleasant School and 4-H Center.

A Community Taco Bar Supper sponsored by the Rose Hill churches brought more people in to enjoy the Rose Hill Middle School singers, under the direction of Marti King, that evening and the young All Star Dancers entertainment.

Final bids were placed on the auction items and winners were announced by Bradford. Rose Hill businesses, organizations, and individuals gave generously to the fundraiser which brought in over $2,000. The profits from this is the only fundraising  that funds the entire event for the following year. Jennifer Bradford, David Kennedy, Cindy Kiser and Katrina Gilley won the $25 Chamber Bucks certificates and Beverly Sand was the winner of the Historical Society Royals Team quilt. Rick and Rhonda Cooper wrangled the Parade of Lights which had seven lighted entries from choo-choo trains to dancers, Rose Hill Firefighter, members of the RHHS and RHMS StuCo and  Boys Scouts Evan Fiegenbaum and Michael Paddock led the parade. Santa appeared in the grand finale on his way back to the North Pole after a day celebrating  Rose Hill Hometown Christmas 2015. The 4-H Club won the $100 first prize for light display and the $50 second place prize went to the Historical Society Santa float.

“The day is like a mini fall festival that has grown by leaps and bounds in the last two years. We start planning again in early spring,” state committee member Chris Wendt. “It takes a full crew of dozens and the whole community in participation to pull this off. It shows what a small community can do when it comes together.”