Christmas Extravaganza showcases Nome’s talent
The talent of Nome shone brighter than the new Christmas tree at Old St Joe’s as members of the community stepped on stage to spread holiday cheer during the Christmas Extravaganza last Thursday.
The event, organized and hosted by the City of Nome, began with a speech from Mayor John Handeland, welcoming the community to the 25th anniversary of the Christmas Extravaganza. The room was packed, every seat taken and for latecomers, it was standing room only.
Handeland remembered former Mayor Richard Beneville, who used to put on the event and loved the opportunity to perform for Nome.
All the garlands and decorations that decked Old St. Joe’s are brand new, as the city’s holiday decorations and the tree were destroyed in the fire at the Public Works Building back in March.
After the gleaming 16-foot-tall Christmas tree was lit, Handeland congratulated City Manager Glen Steckman on picking a good one.
Pastor Bertha Koweluk gave the invocation.
With the growing crowd basking in the glow of the tree lights, performances began.
The Nome-Beltz Band started things off followed by choral performances by various groups, all directed by Music Director Joe Bullock.
Children dressed in costumes performed the live Nativity, directed by Bekka Bickford.
Sixth graders Michael Koelsch and Jarret Wyiouanna performed a duet, ‘Oh Come Little Children.’
Nome-Beltz guitar classes serenaded the audience with a few tunes, also directed by Bullock.
The Nome Covenant Bell Choir chimed through performances and were followed by the Nome community Inupiaq Choir.
Miriam Trujillo finished off the show belting out an operatic rendition of “Oh Holy Night”, accompanied by Luke Hansen on the piano.
As the evening winded down, Santa Claus made an appearance. Kids lined up to share with him their wishes for Christmas day.
CLUES ACROSS 1. Mimic 4. Payroll 昀rm
7. Perform in a play
10. Opine: __ philosophical
11. Crony
12. Political action committee
13. 1991 Wimbledon winner
15. Af昀rmative
16. Exclamation of disgust
19. Action of connecting
21. A way to calm
23. Especially 昀ne or decorative clothing
24. Walked proudly
25. Group of people related through male heir
26. Supplemented with
dif昀culty
27. Soft touch
30. Erases
34. Spanish river
35. A princess can detect it
36. Clouds of gas
41. A way to get through
45. Part of a book
46. Southwestern US state
47. Fields where rice is grown
50. Area in Ghana
54. Sayings
55. Involve deeply
56. Compels to act
57. “Ignore all rules”
59. Indoor entertainment space
60. Born of
61. Back muscle
Previous Puzzle Answers
62. Sea dweller
63. Tools that resemble an axe
64. Pre昀x denoting class or kind
65. Tooth caregiver
CLUES DOWN
1. Inspiring
2. Put into a box
3. Breathes out
4. Pacify
5. Patriotic society for women
6. Fell down
7. Clothing
8. Dishwasher detergent brand
9. Former French republic
13. Single lens re昀ex
14. Men’s fashion accessory
17. Consumed
18. Marry
20. __ up: intensi昀es
22. Body of water
27. People of southern Benin
28. Decorate a cake with frosting
29. Snag
31. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)
32. Records brain activity
(abbr.)
33. Car mechanics group
37. Brought up to snuff
38. __ faire: Economic approach
39. Phil __, former CIA
40. Af昀xed
41. Period of adolescence
42. Substance
43. Danced
44. Baked without its shell
47. Parts per billion (abbr.)
48. Satisfaction
49. Balkans river
51. Christmas carols
52. Partner to tonic
53. “The Godfather” character Johnny
58. Swiss river