HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE IS SLATED AT GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE

Harrisburg, Dec. 9, 2003 – The public is invited to a special holiday tour the weeks of Dec. 8th and Dec. 15th at the governor’s residence, announced state Sen. Connie Williams.

“The governor and first lady have overseen a beautiful transformation of the governor’s residence for the holiday season and have invited the public to visit,” Williams said. “This is a special time of the year to visit Harrisburg and see not only the huge tree in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda, which sparkles with thousands of lights, but also to visit the governor’s residence. If you’ve never been to the governor’s residence you will enjoy the beauty of the public rooms. For those who already have visited, this is a great opportunity to see it when it is decorated for the holidays.”

Each of the public rooms has been decorated with a different theme. This holiday season, the governor has chosen to honor Fred Rogers, who hosted the popular children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The state rooms of the governor’s residence will house a gingerbread replica of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, created by the Departments of Civil Technology and Culinary Arts from the Harrisburg Area Community College. The trees in these rooms will be adorned with ornaments handcrafted by students from several elementary schools throughout the Commonwealth.

Entertainment and light refreshments will be offered on Sunday, Dec. 14th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The holiday open house will be offered Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the week of Dec. 8th and the week of Dec. 15th.

Williams, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Public Television Network Commission, noted that Fred Rogers touched the lives of countless children and adults.

“He was a caring individual who gave of himself to teach children wonderful lessons,” Williams said. “He will be missed. The governor has chosen a wonderful way to honor Mr. Rogers.”