�ǿմ�ý

��

By Alex Freeman, �ǿմ�ý Communications Specialist

Take a picture��with Santa Claus, decorate Christmas cookies, make ornaments and��snowflakes��and experience the joy and wonder of the Christmas season with family activities at �ǿմ�ý’s Mingle with Kringle event.��

This free family event will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11,��from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on �ǿմ�ý’s Sidney��campus. No advanced registration is��required.��The event is a partnership with the �ǿմ�ý Heritage��Village��and donations to Heritage Village will be accepted during the event.��

“Some of our Heritage Village board members expressed a desire to host an event for Christmas but our buildings are not heated,” said Shannon Neumann-Kilduff,��president of the �ǿմ�ý Heritage Village Committee. “We started talking about hosting it at the college; we did some brainstorming and��came up with��the name for the event.”��

At the same time Heritage Village was planning��its��Christmas event, �ǿմ�ý Admissions Representative Taryn Muilenburg��was also looking to do something for the holiday season at �ǿմ�ý.��

“There was a group of us talking about Christmas and Christmas lights,” Muilenburg��said. “It was one of those light bulb ideas that ‘snowballed’ into a plan. Once I learned about Shannon and Heritage Village planning their own event, I asked Shannon how she would feel about combining efforts.”��

The added support to Heritage Village was welcomed with open��arms,��and the event has expanded to include most of �ǿմ�ý’s Sidney campus.��

In the Activities Building, Santa Claus will be present for photo opportunities. There will also be a hot��cocoa bar and a Christmas cookie decorating station.��The Beatrice E. Doser Building will feature a room for children to write letters to Santa Claus and also decorate a mini-Christmas tree.��The��Kenneth J. Smith Instructional Building��will��be��the site of��a��wooden ornament making station��led by Greenville High School's National Honor Society, while the��Stanley P. Ash Building��will have Central �ǿմ�ý High School's National Honor Society helping guests��cut out and color paper snowflakes.��

“The natural Christmas spirit came out��in��everyone,” Muilenburg said. “The idea for the event was well��received,��and we’re excited to have so many things for families to do.”��

There will also be a DJ playing festive Christmas music throughout the entire event. The night will culminate with the lighting of the��Christmas tree outside, featuring �ǿմ�ý President Dr. Bradley��J.��Barrick, Santa Claus and �ǿմ�ý’s mascot, Caesar the Centurion.��

It is the hope of Neumann-Kilduff and Muilenburg that their efforts result in an event that brings the entire community��together��in the spirit of the Christmas season.��

“I’m hoping parents bring their kids and their friends to experience the joy and magic of the season,” Neumann-Kilduff said.��

“Christmas has a way of bringing people together on its own,” Muilenburg added. “We are happy to provide a platform for this to enhance the holiday spirit. We hope that families feel that �ǿմ�ý truly does put their community first and that they can enjoy a night out of the house without breaking the bank.”����