Nov 13, 2012 2 min read

East Franklin Grange and New Freedom Grange will co-host a bus trip to Washington on Dec. 1 for dinner at Ponderosa Steak House, followed by the Washington Symphony Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert.

The trip is open to the public at a cost of $27.50 per person, which includes transportation, buffet dinner and the concert. Those interested in participating should contact Dr. Lonnie Brewster at 724-428-3004. Payment must be received by Nov. 27.

“The granges wanted to do something special to kick off the holidays, so we decided to work together on a float for Waynesburg’s Christmas parade and to also host the symphony trip,” said Brewster, president of New Freedom Grange. “To make the trip as affordable as possible, the two granges will share the cost of the bus, so that participants have to pay only for dinner and the concert. We are receiving discount prices for the concert and dinner includes the buffet, drinks, taxes and gratuity. In addition, our bus driver, Lee Wright, is volunteering his time to help keep costs down.”

The theme for this year’s concert is once again “Ho, Ho, Ho with the WSO,” noted Brewster, who is also a member of the symphony’s board of directors. Musical selections will include “Sleigh Ride,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “A Mad Russian’s Christmas.”

“The orchestra’s conductor, Yugo Ikach, makes every concert an enjoyable experience,” Brewster added, “Everyone who goes on this trip will have a fun time.”

The itinerary for the trip is as follows: Departure from East Franklin Grange at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:15, arrival at Trinity High School at 7:30, concert at 8 p.m. and return to Waynesburg at 11 p.m.