Dan Byers
Chicago, IL
"The Celebrate Westerville New Year's Eve celebration was an wonderful event. I particularly liked that it was truly a "family affair" and I saw people of all ages in attendance. It was a gathering of the senior citizens, the baby boomers, middle agers, young families and teens, all coming together to celebrate what Westerville means to them. What a way to start the sesquicentennial celebration for Westerville! I appreciate all the work of the numerous volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes in preparation for this event and also the volunteers who gave of their time and talents on New Year's Eve. Thanks also to the sponsors who provided financial support so this year long sesquicentennial celebration could actually happen. Some 50 years ago, as an almost teenager, I remember enjoying the 100th birthday celebration for Westerville. Much has changed in our "quiet, peaceful village" since then. However, I felt the same sense of community 50 years later as I did then! I'm looking forward to the other activities planned to celebrate Westerville's 150th birthday!"
B. McCoy
"What a wonderful event. I grew up in Westerville and now live in Pickerington. Of course I had to come to see how well the gentleman who does "Picktown Lights" did for Westerville. An Awesome job. Kudo's to Amy and Tim. Westerville is fortunate to have them and others who helped out for this great celebration. Thank You."
Laurie Decatur
"There really are some magical moments in life. Not many, I’ll grant you—but there are some, and they are very real. I suspect that, years from now when I look fondly back on a life filled with its fair share of such moments, I will recall December 31st, 2007, as being among their number. The streets of Westerville, Ohio, our home for the past 27 years—the town where our three children were born and reared, and which is their “hometown”—were filled with acrobats and fire eaters; the sound of music; the smells of hot dogs and doughnuts; the laughter of the young and the approving grunts of their elders; and a general air of expectancy. We were gathered in “Uptown” Westerville to welcome the new year, of course—but we were also there to celebrate the 150th year of the founding of the town that we love so much. As midnight approached, and the light show atop our beautiful old uptown buildings began to dance to the music, thousands of “Westervilleans” (or whatever we are officially called) turned their eyes heavenward to the lighted globe that was being raised over the intersection of State and College to the countdown of 10. . . .9. . . .8. . . .. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! At that moment, with the air calm, the temperature a pleasant 42 degrees on the Fahrenheit Scale, and goodwill in the hearts and on the lips of all, we stood in the presence of Westerville Past, Westerville Present, and Westerville Yet to Come. . . . and it was truly a magical moment."
George R. Pilcher
"WOW! What a party! Thank you, your other chairpersons, all of the volunteers and all of the sponsors who made this fun-filled evening such a success for the residents of Westerville! We truly appreciate your hard work! We enjoyed the carriage ride, stopped in and had hot chocolate at the church, had fun jotting down the clues for the scavenger hunt, thoroughly enjoyed the street performers, had some refreshments and listened to the band and then walked up to College and State to watch the giant 2008 ball be raised. My whole family had a wonderful time."
Chris L. Cook