Everyone sings about hopes for a “white Christmas,” but at the Candlelight Ceremony in Honesdale’s Central Park, Friday night, the talk was green. Environmental-friendly hopes, however, seemed a bit too green when the green Grinch tried to steal the show.
The Christmas season officially arrived with the annual Santa Parade on Main Street, cheering throngs of children and adults alike as Rudolph led the procession high on top the Texas #4 ladder truck. The climatic finish was the jolly fellow in the red suit, Santa, riding in a one-horse open sleigh.
They headed to Central Park, where a large crowd followed. This was the official lighting ceremony leading up to switching on the famous Christmas Star on Irving Cliff, and then plans to light the Christmas tree.
Mayor Jonathan Fritz recounted the history of the Star, the symbol of the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ, which has shone over Honesdale every Christmas since 1955.  This year, the Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) paid nearly $6,000 for a complete refurbishing of the electrical system, complete with replacing the incandescent bulbs with LED technology. A cheer went up as the Star was lit, brighter than ever and shining with a white light rather than yellow.
“We’re going green in Honesdale, folks,” Fritz proclaimed. “We’re going green.”
Rev. Edward Erb prayed a blessing before the lighting of the tree.  This year, instead of a cut tree placed in the fountain, one was planted, just to the north side. Cindy Williams, GHP member, said, “We’re saving trees and have a live tree planted... which will grow bigger each year.”
 The Alpine Restaurant donated the tree, and Ellen Memorial Health Care Center planted it and decorated it.
The tree didn’t light.
Although Santa, who had taken the stage by now (with Rudolph) provided a count down, even his “magic” couldn’t get the tree to light after a second try. Tim Downs of Bold Gold Media, the ceremony’s emcee, quipped, “There’s got to be a Grinch here somewhere.”
Green and red are the traditional Christmas colors. No doubt there was a little “red” of embarrassment, but the crowd seemed very graceful and cheered in affirmation when asked to come back another night soon to see the tree lit.
The Wayne Choralaires stepped in during the momentary lull the glitch created, with a rousing chorus, “’‘Tis the Season to be Jolly.”
The Grinch of Dr. Seuss’ fame, did not have his way.
As it turned out, there was a problem with the timer, said Bob Zabady of Ellen Memorial. The tree was finally lit that evening, unfortunately not till the crowd went their merry way.

Happy Winter Wonderland
By PETER BECKER
Managing Editor
HONESDALE - Pride in one’s hometown of Honesdale easily swelled as the town’s unique contribution to Holiday tradition again was celebrated Friday evening. Every year the community is reminded at the Central Park candlelight ceremony, held the night after Thanksgiving, that the lyrics of the song “Winter Wonderland” were written by a Honesdale native, Dick Smith.
 The song was written in 1934, the year before Smith died at the age of 34 of tuberculosis. Felix Barnard wrote the music. It was the most enduring of many songs written professionally by Smith in his brief career.
Vince Benedetto, president of Bold Gold Media, told the story of Winter Wonderland, and the Wayne Choralaires led the crowd in the song. Benedetto pointed out the Smith homestead, at 922 Church Street, overlooking the park, where two candles were lit in an upstairs window for the occasion.
Smith’s late sister Marjorie frequently said that her brother was inspired to write the song from memories of the park, the branches laden with snow and children making snowmen- undoubtedly Dick being one of them.
Rev. Edward Erb, who is pastor of Grace Episcopal Church (where the Smith family attended), joked that he and Rev. Michael Lyle, pastor of 1st Presbyterian on the opposite side of the park, argue which of them is “Parson Brown” (the pastor Smith names in the song).
“Winter Wonderland” also blared from a float carrying Frosty the Snowman, as it headed up Main Street in the parade.
Zabady and Ellen Memorial staff provided refreshments, as well as the Wayne County Sheriff Department. Doc Roberts of Bold Gold Media assisted emcee Tim Downs on stage.
Once the candles were handed out and lit, Carol Diefenbach of the Delaware Valley opera Company sang “Love Came Down at Christmas” and the Choralaires sang “Silent Night.”
Matt Day and Joseph Mohn, who were Honesdale High School senior last year, were thanked for building the stage for the ceremony. Downs also thanked Borough Council, Department if Public Works, Borough Police, Rent-E-Quip, Blue Ridge Cable TV, the Choralaires  for all their contributions to Honesdale for the Holidays, and notably, GHP’s Director, Gail Tucker, for her leadership.