Adapted from information supplied by Sandy Lippe:
Long ago when the elders of the community of University City were small children and long before Costco existed…trees were decorated on Christmas Eve and taken down on New Year’s Day. Hanukkah was celebrated as the Festival of Lights, of course, but it was more of a minor holiday in the Jewish faith. Now we see Costco displaying Christmas decorations and Hanukkah cards and menorahs in August.
Why rush the season? In University City, the holiday season officially begins on Friday, December 15, at Standley Park and Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Drive.
- Dinner with Santa: Standley Recreation Center is hosting its annual “Dinner with Santa” on Friday, December 15. Lorna’s Italian Restaurant will be providing the food for Dinner with Santa, so be sure to make your reservation as soon as possible. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children, under age two eat free! Dinner (and craft activities) start at 5 PM. Tickets go on sale December 1. To make reservations, call Standley Park Recreation Center at 858.552.1652. You also buy tickets at the Rec Center.
- Holiday Music, Menorah Lighting, Tree Lighting: University City Community Association is having its annual tree and menorah lighting on Friday, December 15, at 6 PM, just after Dinner with Santa. Standley Park will once again be transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland scene. Coming together with holiday music are the Standley Middle School Marching Band, Our Mother of Confidence Children’s Choir, and the Teutonics Barbershop Quartet. Carl’s Jr. will provide holiday cookies and Coffee Bean will donate a large container of hot chocolate. Santa will hand out candy canes to the children. UCCA President Barry Bernstein has been in touch with Costa Verde to help underwrite this fun-filled evening. Our favorite fire station will send out their fire truck from Station 35.
Circle the calendar for Friday, December 15 and be part of a delightful evening celebrating traditions that last a lifetime, a gift for everyone in the community, from the smallest children to the eldest members. As the song goes: “There is no place like home for the holidays.” It’s University City’s Holiday Tradition!
For related posts, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/category/parks-recreation-dept/
