Volunteers Deck the Grist Mill's Halls

Working very hard to ready the Wagner Grist Mill for a history-infused holiday happening Thursday were volunteers from the community as well as longtime Hellertown Historical Society members.

This evening, the tap room at the grist mill will host a Holiday Open House featuring refreshments, live entertainment and as much Hellertown history as can fill a festive couple of hours. 

The volunteer decorating team which readied the tap room for the annual event included Fran Hudock, who helped set up the model trains on display.

Hudock highlighted many of the miniature buildings which line the O-gauge train track, including replicas of Bethlehem Steel, a railroad station and a floral shop, just to name a few.

Volunteer Betty Tarquin reminisced about how she handpainted and created many of the ornaments she placed on the tree in the tap room.

Tarquin said she made the ornaments out of clothes pins years ago, carefully handpainting and decorating each one to resemble a doctor, a nurse, a boy scout, a clown and a hiker. Other ornaments, created with precision and detail, represent the Three Kings from the Biblical story of Jesus' birth.

Pearl Stork, another historical society volunteer, also waxed nostalgic as she hung brightly-colored Christmas balls on the tree along with helpers Dottie Freeman and Jeanette Boos, while volunteer Erika Hill tended to a display case.

One of the highlights of the open house this evening will be a holiday performance by the award-winning musical duo Norris and James, producers of the Lehigh Valley Idol local talent competition. 

Guests at the open house will be invited to sing along, have a glass of wine or just listen.

Model train buffs will have the opportunity to run their "toys" on the illuminated O-gauge train track, and even blow the whistle.

Holiday gifts, such as Hellertown pottery, will be available for sale, and a number of special demonstrations and displays are planned.

The public is invited and welcome to attend this seasonal evening of merriment.

The Grist Mill is located at 150 W. Walnut St. in Hellertown.