Easter in the Abington area

It’s the time of year again. Easter is just a few days away.

Time to decorate eggs. Time to fill plastic ones with candy and place them in a basket or in the backyard for children to seek. It’s a time to get together with families or friends.

Most important for area Christians, it’s a time to remember that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins.

In the Abington area, parents have been having many opportunities to take their children to look for eggs in the park, in a church and even in the back of a trunk. That last one was a courtesy of Newton Ransom Elementary School, which held its first Spring Egg & Treat on Friday, March 24. It was similar to trunk or treat on Halloween except kids collected Easter eggs from the back of Easter-decorated vehicles parked in the school’s lot.

“I think it’s great for the first one,” said PTO President Sarah Williams.

Elementary students had a fundraiser called Penny Wars. People donated coins in jars, which were divided by grades from kindergarten through fifth. Each grade received a point for every penny donated. They lost a point for every silver coin or dollar received. The grade that raised the least amount of funds wins a movie and popcorn day at the school. The money goes to the school’s PTO. Jimmy Johns Subs donated sandwiches at the event.

There were plenty more Easter egg hunts this past weekend. The Chinchilla Hose Company sponsored an egg hunt at South Abington Park on Saturday, April 1. It was organized by Amy Waters. Her husband James, who is the EMS chief, drove the Easter Bunny to the park. Their daughter LeAnna, a junior firefighter, escorted the bunny around the park. The Keystone College lacrosse team volunteered to distribute the eggs around the soccer field. The eggs had numbers inside of them that corresponded with which prizes the kids received including gift certificates for McDonald’s and Pure Suds. Despite the damp weather and muddy field, this egg hunt had a big turnout.

“It’s great for the kids rain or shine,” said Amy.

Clarks Summit United Methodist Church’s egg hunt followed right afterwards. There, children, divided into groups, searched for many different colored eggs inside the church’s lounge. Church members made an assembly line to fill each egg with many items including candy, bubbles, a slap bracelet and cards advertising future church events.

“All of the events are reaching out to the community,” said church member/volunteer Gail James.

Upcoming events this month include a pasta e fagioli on Friday, April 7, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Swingin’ Into Spring, a free concert presented by the Wally Gordon Community Singers, on Sunday, April 30 at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, April 2, Alicia and Billy Lee, owners of JABBS Soft Washing & Power Washing, held their second annual Easter egg hunt at Creekside Park in Factoryville. They didn’t reach their goal of 50,000 eggs but still managed to raise more than last year with 29,000 eggs thanks to numerous sponsors. They include Sheila Petrochko, Lenox VFW, McGrath’s Pub, Texas Road House, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, Creekside Park, Northeast Title and Tag, and the whole community, who donated all of the group’s Amazon wish list along with monetary donations. There were five golden eggs, which had a $25 gift card inside them. Nine-year-old Alivia Keslo, of Uniondale, became the first one to find one.

“I feel super-excited,” she said.

Sheila volunteered to become the Easter Bunny again this year.

“She (Sheila) is the biggest supporter I have!,” said Alicia. “And I honestly couldn’t thank her enough or show my appreciation of her enough.”

Families also celebrated Easter by attending Abington Heights High School’s Breakfast with the Bunny, which was held on Saturday, April 1. It was organized by the Class of 2024. The students have been planning this event for a whole year. They held a planning meeting during the summer and start carrying out the plans starting in December.

“It’s a fundraiser as well as a gift to the community,” said junior class president Ryanna Avvisato. “I like to see my class participate willingly. It keeps the kids happy and we all enjoy it.”

Parents and children ate food catered by Glenburn Grill and Bakery. Children enjoyed face painting as well as arts and crafts such as paper-bunny plates, paper hand chicks and plants, in which kids colored the pot by markers.

About 30 donations from local businesses were received as prizes of raffle baskets.

From Friday, March 31, to Sunday, April 2, Servant Church of the Abingtons hosted its annual production of Easter Sonrise Drama, which portrays Jesus’ life, death and resurrection through a musical performed at the church’s sanctuary. It is held every Palm Sunday weekend.

This year had the biggest cast so far with over 70 people. They start rehearsing on the first Sunday after New Year’s Day and continued to until the week before when they meet every week day before the performance. Church member Linda Corey continued to direct the play. A few changes in roles include Sam Corey, who previously played Jesus, was cast as Satan this year. Chad Mullen, who normally plays Satan, took over as Jesus this year. Deb Miller, who played Jesus’ mother Mary this year, works on making and fitting about 120 costumes for the actors.

The Mahoney family, who have never seen the show previously, became cast members for the play. Melanie played a villager while her two sons, 9-year-old Mateo and 8-year-old Cruze played shepherds, and her daughters, 13-year-old Kailee and 11-year-old Myah, 10-year-old Iyana and 5-year-old Melania also played villagers. Her father Barry played a servant. Her husband Heath was in the stage crew.

Although most of the Easter events are passed, Countryside Community Church will be having their egg hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 1 p.m. Children through sixth grade are invited to participate in the egg hunt. It will provide food and fellowship for all who attend.