By Gary Meyer

In past years, when the Fantasy of Lights parade rolled through town the first weekend in December, the action— and the crowds—filled the streets. This year the people were inside, visiting the shops that line Frazier Park’s Mt. Pinos Way.

Many businesses decided to stay open for shoppers on December 3. While most didn’t make a killing in sales, everyone appeared to enjoy having more people around.

In The Wings Studio of Dance was a hive of high energy. A spillover crowd of about 140 people squeezed in for three events: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (presented by the Frazier Mountain High School Drama Club); In The Wings’ dance recital; and the visit of an abundantly jolly Santa Claus who heard the wishes of scores of children.

Down the street, Ace Hardware gave Christmas stockings to the first 50 kids who showed up and—boy— did they expect those stockings to be there! Cookies and hot cider were also on hand.

Alpine Lumber’s Kathy Parker said their store was very busy in the late afternoon, selling gifts and Christmas trees.

On the east end of town things were a bit more quiet until Work of HeArt Gallery held its Artist of the Month opening at 7 p.m. Plenty of gift items surrounded everyone who walked in.

Tecuya Feed, Mountain Day Spa, Chatterpillar Toys & Gifts, Dragonfly’s Garden, Curves for Women, Wiley’s Armory and Shelter on the Hill Thrift Store were all open for business with friendly hospitality, while Frazier Park Market, Caveman Cavey’s Pizza and La Sierra Mexican Restaurant fed the hungry.

This was an excellent start to the holiday season for the Mountain Communities, in light of the scaled-back festivities.

A Jolly Holiday
by Sierra Kerr

The singing, the dancing, the holiday spirit in the air—who wouldn’t have wanted to come? In The Wings Studio of Dance gave a festive extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The studio underwent a total transformation within a matter of days. I know, because I take the Hip-Hop 2 class on Friday, so seeing the studio with all its decorations on Saturday made me almost forget it was a dance studio at all. It was whimsical and very inventive.

The festivities started off with our very own Frazier Mountain High School’s rendition of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The play was impressive and fun for all ages. It included great dancing and singing—and a dash of comedy never hurt anyone.

There were seven Whos down on Mt. Pinos Way. There was the Grinch, played by the fantastic Joe Butler. Little Cindy- Lu Who, who was no more than two, was played by Bailey Vlach (who is much older than two). And who can forget the dog? This comical pooch was a great addition to the cast, played by Colton Fair.

your gift list. Everyone’s make-up was perfectly done by Angel Mendiola, Esmeralda “Ezzy” Zanotti, and Faith Bedard. The set was painted by Mrs. Maxwell’s art class at FMHS.

One of the Whos, Amanda Coleman, said “The play was just plain silly and funny and was good for the whole family to watch.”

The giant crowd included small children who enjoyed the festivities as much as the adults. The play was about 20 minutes long. Shannon Norris, co-producer with Kat Fair (who share duties mentoring the FMHS Drama Club), said, “It was a very short rehearsal period, but the cast came through like champs. The audience loved it and all the little kids were rolling in laughter.”

Kat Fair wrote the script with her husband Bill Fair.

Afterward, Santa Claus came down from the North Pole to visit and take pictures with all the children, young and old. “My daughter was so excited to see Santa in our neighborhood. For the first time [she] wasn’t afraid of the Grinch,” mother Lidija Wiley said.

The Dance Team’s performance was next. Donned in red and white striped dresses with bright green bows, all 14 dancers where perfectly choreographed, ready for their performance on December 21 at the Condors game down in Bakersfield. Condors tickets are still on sale at In the Wings Dance Studio for $10 (upper level) and $15 (lower levels). The dance was full of holiday spirit and fun props.

This was truly a ‘Jolly Holiday.’ I hope it comes back next year and for all the years to come. Kerr is in 8th grade at El Tejon School.

This is part of the December 09, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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