Holiday spirit descends on Brownstown

BROWNSTOWN — It was a double dose of Santa Claus for 7-year-old Bridget Scroghan and her sister, Charley Boesken, 6, during the Brownstown Hometown Christmas event Friday evening.

The girls first stopped by Brownstown Hardware, where they got to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. They then made a stop at the Jackson County Courthouse across the street, where Santa made another appearance.

“I told him I didn’t really care what he brought me,” Scroghan said. “He said I was on his good list and would get something.”

Scroghan said her favorite part of Christmas is opening presents and decorating.

“We always string popcorn,” she said.

Boeskin said she wasn’t picky when it came to presents, but there was one thing she would like Santa to put underneath her Christmas tree.

“I want a Nintendo DSi,” she said.

Lots of families from Brownstown and surrounding areas lined up inside the courthouse lobby Friday to get face time and their pictures taken with Santa.

The annual event is sponsored by the Brownstown Chamber of Commerce.

Sandy Hackman, chair of the event, said this year they decided to get more businesses involved and give people an opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping before visiting with Santa.

Throughout the day, local vendors were set up at the courthouse selling a variety of items, including children’s books, ornaments and cheese balls, baked goods, syrups and jams, candles, jewelry, baskets, mini Christmas trees and wreaths and other merchandise.

“We called more people to get more participation and they really responded well,” Hackman said of vendors.

Throughout November, shoppers at area businesses also could sign up for the Hometown Christmas giveaway, which included a lighted wreath and a large ceramic Nativity set. Winners were to be announced at the end of Friday’s event.

“We wanted to get people to shop locally and promote Brownstown businesses,” Hackman said. “That’s what the chamber is about.”

She said she enjoys being part of the event because of the location.

“I love that we can have it in our historic county courthouse,” she said.

When it comes to the Christmas holiday, Hackman said there are so many things she looks forward to.

“Church, the Nativity scene, decorations and just the attitude of people,” she said. “It’s cheerful and it’s a fun time for everyone.”

Angie Reedy of Freetown said she liked being able to browse through the merchandise and pick out a few gifts.

“I think it’s great being able to get items that are handmade and things you can’t find in the stores,” she said while purchasing children’s books from Usborne Books and More. “They’ve got like 20 vendors here, so it’s pretty impressive.”

Reedy’s sons Jacob, 8, and Matthew, 3, were just as excited.

“I like when Santa comes,” Jacob said of the event. “I’m going to ask him for Bakugon toys.”

The family also attended to hear the Brownstown Central Middle School choir, which performed a medley of Christmas carols.

“Their sister Bethany is singing in the choir, so we came to watch her,” Reedy said.

Brad Wingler said he brought his daughter Alliemae, 7, to the event to see Santa.

“This is the first time I’ve been to this,” he said. “I didn’t know they were going to have all this. It’s neat and it puts you in the mood for Christmas.”

Allie, as her friends and family call her, said her favorite part of Christmas was trimming the tree.

“I like that you get to decorate the Christmas tree,” she said.

Rebecca Boesken, whose other daughter, Trinity Collins, was part of the choir, said she attended the event for one reason.

“I like hearing the kids (sing),” she said. “It’s all about the kids, especially at this time of year.”goods, syrups and jams, candles, jewelry, baskets, mini Christmas trees and wreaths and other merchandise.

“We called more people to get more participation and they really responded well,” Hackman said of vendors.

Throughout November, shoppers at area businesses also could sign up for the Hometown Christmas giveaway, which included a lighted wreath and a large ceramic Nativity set. Winners were to be announced at the end of Friday’s event.

“We wanted to get people to shop locally and promote Brownstown businesses,” Hackman said. “That’s what the chamber is about.”

She said she enjoys being part of the event because of the location.

“I love that we can have it in our historic county courthouse,” she said.

When it comes to the Christmas holiday, Hackman said there are so many things she looks forward to.

“Church, the Nativity scene, decorations and just the attitude of people,” she said. “It’s cheerful and it’s a fun time for everyone.”

Angie Reedy of Freetown said she liked being able to browse through the merchandise and pick out a few gifts.

“I think it’s great being able to get items that are handmade and things you can’t find in the stores,” she said while purchasing children’s books from Usborne Books and More. “They’ve got like 20 vendors here, so it’s pretty impressive.”

Reedy’s sons Jacob, 8, and Matthew, 3, were just as excited.

“I like when Santa comes,” Jacob said of the event. “I’m going to ask him for Bakugon toys.”

The family also attended to hear the Brownstown Central Middle School choir, which performed a medley of Christmas carols.

“Their sister Bethany is singing in the choir, so we came to watch her,” Reedy said.

Brad Wingler said he brought his daughter Alliemae, 7, to the event to see Santa.

“This is the first time I’ve been to this,” he said. “I didn’t know they were going to have all this. It’s neat and it puts you in the mood for Christmas.”

Allie, as her friends and family call her, said her favorite part of Christmas was trimming the tree.

“I like that you get to decorate the Christmas tree,” she said.

Rebecca Boesken, whose other daughter, Trinity Collins, was part of the choir, said she attended the event for one reason.

“I like hearing the kids (sing),” she said. “It’s all about the kids, especially at this time of year.”