Reily Township celebrates Christmas with tree lighting, visit from Santa

Dozens of Reily Township residents gathered around the Hammond House Museum on Main Street for the third annual Christmas Tree lighting as the night settled in on Sunday, Dec. 8.

This year’s event was  co-hosted by the Reily Township Historical Society and Reily Township Good Neighbors. The evening featured coffee and hot chocolate, plus a visit from Santa Claus, who sat ready to hear from kids about what they want for Christmas this year. For kids and families who missed the event, a North Pole mail box stands ready outside the museum.

This year’s event was led by emcee Sergeant Garrie Woolery. The tree was lit by Private Donald Shupp, a military veteran who served in the Vietnam War, and Shupp’s wife, Kathy.

“We try to have, every year, military members do this,” Woolery said during the event. He lit the tree at last year’s ceremony. After the tree was lit, the attendees sang along to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”