The magic of Christmas past
by Patricia M. Albrecht
Snow that began to fall lightly on Sunday topped off the magic of the season at Christmas at Zoar on December 4 and 5. Held the first weekend of December each year, this holiday wonderland recreated
Christmas past with crafts, carolers, home tours, horse drawn wagon rides, musical programs, food and beverages, museum building tours, and live reindeer in the garden area.
People are out shopping, said Sherrie Baughman, administrative assistant of the Zoar Community Association, and getting in the Christmas mood. We have a group of rug hookers and weavers in the sewing house. This is new this year. Of course, we have the master tinsmith, Robin Hood, and that is his real name.
In the bakery youll find cookies and cider. The gingerbread is from an original Zoarite recipe.
Volunteers in full costume demonstrated life in the 1850s during Christmas past. A traditional German Belsnickle Santa and Kristkind the Christmas angel waited in the Gardenhouse by the broomstick tree to hand out candy to the children who came in to do crafts on the second floor.
The Zoar United Church of Christ was decorated throughout with greenery, red bows, and snowflakes. Organ music from the 1872 pipe organ was played by Mark Thewes and Robert Morrison with Becky Ragon singing, and choirs included the Delphian Chorale of New Philadelphia High School, Valley Voices Womens Barbershop Chorus, The Melvern High School Show Chorus, St. Thomas Aquinas High School Choir, Tusky Valley High School Choir, Perry High School Percussion Ensemble, and Dennis and Jennifer Roden.
Caroling around the village was The Melvern High School Show Chorus, German Carolers, the Black River Boys, and the Timken High School Choir.
Zoar Sleigh Company was at the blacksmith and wagon shop and a blacksmith demonstration took place on Saturday.
This year, four historic homes were featured. The home of Rick and Diane Geis, also known as The Treasurers House, was built in 1877. Tour guests could see the vaulted wine cellar that is unique in this home.
Zeebs Cabin, named after the Zeeb family who lived in the house from 1844 to 1930, is the second oldest house in Zoar. Owned by Darin and Kimberly Good, the cabin is filled with the familys collection of vintage and new Santa Claus and antique glass ornaments. Also on the historic home tour was the home of Libby Moffat. This house was built in 1979 as a private residence. Lastly on the home tour was the Cider Mill that has been used as a Bed and Breakfast and gift shop for the past 35 years.
Marjory Boyd and Judy McCardel spent the day weaving in the Sewing House. The Navarre Rug Hookers
also demonstrated their craft.
The loom I am using is set up for table runners and placemats, said Boyd, while Judys is for rugs. The looms belong to the Zoar Community Association and are about 80 years old.
Horse drawn wagon rides took visitors on a trip around the historic village on Saturday and Sunday. Floyd Wells owns Wells Go Far Carriage Service from Sullivan, Ohio.
This is our second year here, said Wells. Stomper, Queen, and Bell are pulling the wagon today. They are Haflinger horses.
Christmas in Zoar continues to expand year after year taking guests back to Christmases past. Each year more and more people attend and travel many miles to visit.
Barb and Paul Fennema visited Christmas in Zoar for the first time this year. Residents of Salem, Ohio, they came to Zoar and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the United Church of Christ.
We are looking forward to seeing the rest of the village, said Barb Fennema. Just by looking at the map, it looks like we are in for a real treat today.
