As many families gathered to celebrate Easter and Passover, local businesses and volunteers across the region worked through the holiday to continue serving their communities.
Camelot Restaurant in Clarks Summit has become a staple of the Easter holiday in the area. Three years ago, the restaurant began opening its doors on Easter Sunday, prompted by a steady stream of customer requests. Nicholas Wise, a bartender and server at Camelot, explained, “People kept asking, ‘What are you doing for Easter?’ After considering various options like takeout or dine-in service, we decided to open. Over the last few years, the response has grown exponentially.”
This year, Camelot served around 260 guests, offering a special holiday menu and a full staff to accommodate the influx. For Wise and his colleagues, working on the holiday is a rewarding decision. “Everyone is usually really friendly on Easter,” Wise said. “They understand we could be with our families, but we choose to take care of them. My daughter is even here with me today—it’s not so bad.”
Elsewhere in the community, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge relied on its dedicated volunteers to care for the animals in their care. Jody Little, a volunteer who has spent the past three years working on holidays, described her day. “The dogs need to be fed, walked, and cleaned, and we also have cats and rabbits to care for. It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding,” she said.
For Little, volunteering on holidays has become a tradition. “My family knows that I work on these days, so we usually celebrate a little earlier or later. It’s just another day for the animals, but we try to make it special for them. Some holidays we bring in big meals or treats, but not today. Today, it’s just a regular day for them.”
While many enjoy time off, these local businesses and volunteers demonstrate the selfless dedication that keeps the community thriving, even during the holiday season.
