The college will be well-represented during the city of Oneonta’s first drive-through holiday lights display, thanks to a group of talented, dedicated SUNY Oneonta students and employees.
I had the pleasure of working side by side with several of them in Neahwa Park last Saturday to help set up for the Oneonta Festival of Lights, a free event that will kick off tonight and run through Sunday, Jan. 3, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. We spent several hours together, hanging lights and decorations, talking and enjoying each other’s company. I especially relished the opportunity to get to know the members of Sigma Omega Epsilon, Delta Omega Epsilon and Phi Kappa Psi who helped set up.
Many thanks to Keith Mott and Robert Truesdale, who were our lift operators for the day; to Lisa Snyder, Kathy Meeker, Colleen Brannan, Tracey and Dave Ranieri, and Terry Zimmer for coming out on a weekend to volunteer with me; and to Linda Drake for recruiting student volunteers.
Meanwhile, on campus, a team of Maintenance Operations Center staff led by Bill Wagner has been busy designing and building the college’s portion of the light display, which, I’m told, will be located to the left of the skate house in the park. Thank you to Bill, Matthew Grenier, Nate Hitchcock, Shaun Sparaco, Greg Post, Tim Mullinnex, Joe Hitchcock and Kevin Wagner for their hard work on the display, and thank you, too, to Ian Lascell for designing its banner and to Dee Williams for loaning the team holiday decorations. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending this time together for such a worthy cause. Sponsors of the event – First Night Oneonta and Five Star Subaru – have brought in more than 30 local organizations and businesses to make individual light displays, so it should be an impressive sight. For those who aren’t aware, organizers have dedicated the event to the late John Hayen, the college’s assistant men’s soccer coach, who was known for his elaborate holiday light displays. Although I didn’t know John, I am sure he would be pleased to see how the college and greater Oneonta community have come together to bring this wholesome holiday event to fruition in his honor.
Be sure to stop down to the park and check out our volunteers’ hard work. I’m grateful to all those who helped create this display for Oneonta residents and visitors to enjoy safely during this challenging time. I’m sure it will lift the spirits of many and bring light and joy to all who attend.