The revival of a true holiday favorite helped christen Slatington Elementary's newly renovated gymnasium.

Amped up, and perhaps louder then ever, the Senior Citizen Holiday Program returned after a one-year hiatus amid plenty of fanfare.The event was attended by dozens of elderly residents who reside in nursing homes and assisted living in the Slatington community that are transported by bus to the school.Principal Linda Marcincin welcomed those in attendance with kind words."We're so glad to have you with us today," Marcincin said. "This is the first time for our renovated gymnasium."Marcincin told the senior citizens the day was all theirs to enjoy."It's always an exciting day for us," she said. "It's a day where Slatington Elementary reaches out to you to give you a gift for the holidays."Marcincin thanked event co-organizers Lori Middaugh, Janet Millen and Gail Lafferty, as well as everyone else who assisted with the program."The lesson to be learned from all of this is to give from the heart," she said. "It's all about teamwork and what's best for our students."At that, the third grade sang renditions of the songs "Penguin Polka", and "Santa is My Buddy", before it recited the poem "Snowball".Next up was fourth grade students, who performed "Jingle Bells" and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" on their flutophones, followed by "The 12 Dogs of Christmas", accompanied by Lora Krum. The students then told holiday jokes, which was then followed by a piano solo of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", conducted by fifth-grader Molly Wilk.From there, fifth grade students recited the poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas", followed by the song, "All I Want for Christmas". A piano solo, "Ode to Joy", was then conducted by fifth-grader Alyssa Hillegas.Sixth grade students then performed the songs, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", and "Let it Snow". They then recited the poem "A Puppy's Christmas".New to this year's event was a performance by the high school's choir ensemble, the "Treble Makers", who were led by Rachel Reiter.The fifth grade band performed "A Christmas Sleigh Ride", "Jolly Old St. Nicholas", and "Themes from the Hallelujah Chorus.Afterward, the sixth grade clarinet and saxophone ensemble, as well as the flute ensemble, displayed their talents.The clarinet and saxophone ensemble, which consists of sixth graders Zane Smith, Samantha Lambert, and Nicholas Lehman, performed "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen", as well as "Deck the Halls".The flute ensemble, composed of sixth graders Gabriel Delong, Annelise Lutz, Samantha Papay and Sophia Williams, performed "Silent Night", and "Carol of the Bells".At the conclusion of the program, Marcincin complimented the students on a job well done."We have 570 students within this small area," she said. "They did a wonderful job throughout the program."At that, the senior citizens headed upstairs to the foyer, where they were greeted with cookies baked by students and their families.Last, but certainly not least, came the turkey dinner. In addition, fourth-grade students made ornaments, while fifth-grade students made place mats that were laminated for the senior citizens to take home with them.Steve Eitner, of Slatedale, said he enjoyed the program a great deal."I thought they did very well," Eitner said. "I thought it was very good, and they were very entertaining."Pat Seiler, of Slatington, said the event was a real positive experience."It was a wonderful experience for the kids, and the grandparents,"Seiler said. "It gave the senior citizens something to look forward to during the holidays."Transportation was provided for senior citizens from the senior facilities in the Slatington community,