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New Kensington neighbors gather for annual holiday tradition | TribLIVE.com
Valley News Dispatch

New Kensington neighbors gather for annual holiday tradition

Haley Daugherty
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Cousins Jackson (left), 5, and Carter Moore, 8, both of New Kensington, eat cookies and drink hot chocolate as they sing holiday carols in a New Kensington neighborhood with their neighbors on Sunday night.
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Tom Hogan of New Kensington, dressed as Santa Claus, speaks with 7-year-old Charlie Jones of New Kensington on Sunday night.
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Andy Bronkaj of New Kensington plays the violin as carolers sing holiday songs Sunday night in a New Kensington neighborhood.
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Jessica Jewart of New Kensington sings holiday carols Sunday night in a New Kensington neighborhood with nearly 30 other neighbors.
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Demetra Constantine, 2, of New Kensington eats a cookie as her neighbors sing holiday carols Sunday night in a New Kensington neighborhood.
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Martha Capone (left) of New Kensington plays the trumpet as her husband, Thom, holds the sheet music during “Jingle Bells.”
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Among the New Kensington neighbors who participated were (back from left) Emma Moore, coordinator Jena Arcuri, (front from left) Audriana Threatte, Melody Harvey and Charlie Jones. The children, all 7, are in the same class at school.
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Haley Daugherty | TribLive
Tom Hogan of New Kensington, dressed as Santa Claus, speaks with Audriana Threatte, 7, also of New Kensington, during the celebration Sunday night.

The holiday spirit arrived in a New Kensington neighborhood Sunday night.

Around 30 people gathered at the corner of Marlboro Drive and McLaughlin Drive for the third year in a row to go caroling around the block. This yearly tradition was started by neighbors Michael Sawhook, Jena Arcuri and Kris Chelko. Sawhook, also known around the neighborhood as “The Christmas Guy,” said they wanted the kids living in the area to have a tradition.

The group traveled around the block, stopping at homes to sing holiday classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Neighbors Martha Capone and Andy Bronkaj played the trumpet and violin as they walked with the singers.

After singing 20 songs at 20 households, the merry group headed to Sawhook’s home for a holiday party and a visit from Santa Claus.

Haley Daugherty is a TribLive reporter covering local politics, feature stories and Allegheny County news. A native of Pittsburgh, she lived in Alabama for six years. She joined the Trib in 2022 after graduating from Chatham University. She can be reached at hdaugherty@triblive.com.

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