Fifteen years ago, when Sarge Pasternick’s daughter was born, he and his wife found that they were spending a fortune on pictures. So, his wife bought him a camera, and the rest was history.##M:[more]##
Pasternick, who now professionally works as a photographer out of his Plainsboro home, will be taking photographs for the Historical Society’s celebration at the 11th annual Traditions in Plainsboro on Saturday, December 6, during which Santa Claus will appear from 3 to 5 p.m. to pose for photos with the festival’s younger attendees.
Volunteering his time and work is nothing new to Pasternick, who has taken photos at previous celebrations in Plainsboro. He said he began doing photography for the police department’s D.A.R.E. program, “and I found that to be really rewarding.” From there, Pasternick found the opportunity to work with the Plainsboro Historical Society, and he has been taking photographs for their events over the years, including the Elsie the Cow exhibit.
He does not charge the organizations for taking the photos, but rather finds the activities he covers to be interesting and fulfilling.
Pasternick, who grew up in Bayonne, moved to Plainsboro in 1977. His mother was a housewife and his father worked in the meat industry. He and his wife, Dee, have a daughter, Christie, 15, who is a student at High School North. Before getting into photography, Pasternick played with a house band, and photography was a hobby. Now that his daughter is older, Pasternick has more time to devote to his photography, he says.
Organized by the township, the Traditions program honors many different cultural customs celebrated by Plainsboro residents as various groups join at the municipal complex to share their customs through dance, music, displays, and other forms. It begins at 12:30 p.m. with various events being held at the Plainsboro Library, Municipal Center, and the Plainsboro Museum (Wicoff House). Some of the celebrations include Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and other celebrations that take place between December 1 and the end of February.
The Plainsboro Historical Society will be representing Christmas, since the Wicoff family was Christian, says Bill Hart, president of the Plainsboro Historical Society. As part of its festivities, the historical society will host the making of Christmas tree decorations, beginning at 12:20 p.m., and for the first time at Traditions this year, Santa will be arriving at 3 p.m. Pasternick will be taking the pictures between 3 and 5 p.m. Each child will be given a small toy, and door prizes will be drawn throughout the afternoon.
“We think that this Santa Claus is a lot more fun, and it’s a big part of Christmas,” says Hart. “Educationally, too. The whole idea is to share traditions. We have information on the history of the Christmas Tree and Santa Claus.” He added that people who might be new to the country and who are not Christians may learn about the story behind Santa.
Carolers, who will be traveling throughout the municipal complex, will visit the museum in the afternoon. The historical society is also assisting in the Police Department’s Toys for Tots Drive. There will be a box for the collection of unwrapped, new toys and stuffed animals suitable for children both at the museum and at the library.
Plainsboro is not the only one having a multicultural event planned. Also on Saturday, December 6, at the municipal center on Clarksville Road, the West Windsor Township Human Relations Council is sponsoring a West Windsor Holiday Extravaganza to also commemorate the many holidays celebrated this season. The various celebrations include Diwali, Eid ul-Adha, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and others, from 1 to 4 p.m. with groups of musicians, orators, and dancers among the performers sharing their talent and heritage.
And the West Windsor-Plainsboro African American Parent Support Group will be holding a Kwanzaa Celebration Banquet at Grover Middle School on Southfield Road at 7:30 p.m on Tuesday, December 9.
Holiday Extravaganza, West Windsor Human Relations Council, Municipal Building, Clarksville Road. Saturday, December 6, 1 to 4 p.m. 609-799-2400. www.westwindsornj.org.
Traditions, Plainsboro Township, Municipal Building, Public Library, and Wicoff House. Saturday, December 6, 12:30 to 4:45 p.m. Free. 609-799-0909. www.plainsboronj.com.
St. Nicholas Day, Plainsboro Historical Society, Wicoff House, 641 Plainsboro Road. Saturday, December 6, 3 to 5 p.m. 609-799-9040. www.plainsborohistory.com.
Kwanzaa Celebration Banquet, West Windsor-Plainsboro African American Parent Support Group, Grover Middle School, 10 Southfield Road, West Windsor. Tuesday, December 9, 7:30 p.m. E-mail aapsg2007@aol.com.
