Wheeling sweetheart Reinhart helps switch on holiday lights

[Miguel]

Wheeling kicked off the holiday season Sunday night with the help of “American Idol” finalist Haley Reinhart.

Hundreds of residents and fans came out to see the singer, meet Santa Claus, drink hot chocolate and get in the holiday spirit.

Reinhart, a Wheeling native, joined village President Judy Abruscato in flipping the switch on the holiday lights. She also thanked her hometown fans for their support over the past year.

“I hope you all have a happy holiday; there’s nothing better than home,” said Reinhart, who came in third on Season 10 of “American Idol.”

...Although Reinhart and Abrams didn’t sing at the lighting Sunday night, like they did Saturday night at the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago, they did sign autographs and pose for photos with fans before heading to a private event.

“I’m so happy to be a part of this,” Reinhart said. “It’s wonderful to be back in Wheeling and be welcomed home like this.”

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111...711209820/

[midnightblues]

Very deserved rest that she needs, it's good to see her back in Illinois, where she can just kick back and be with her family for the holiday. Also, you notice that the closer she comes to the release of her album, and the new release of baby it's cold outside. She starting to get a little more props from her management company. I hope that's the case. IT seems like with every song, or every new song that Haley is singing you can see more of her maturity. Both as a female and also as an artist.

[Miguel]

Himm2 of IF captured this on video also:



At the end, he pulls back so you can see all the lights and the crowd. I like that Haley comes from a bedroom community instead of Chicago proper -- small town gal makes it big!

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Haley singing autographs. Is that her father holding the paper?

[My Alter Ego]

Haley singing autographs. Is that her father holding the paper?

It does look like her dad.

I like the male voice in the video who says "we don't want to see Claus; we want to see Haley!"

[Miguel]

I think that male voice might have been Himm2. If not Himm, someone standing next to Himm.

[midnightblues]

Haley singing autographs. Is that her father holding the paper?

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Looks like Haley, signing payroll checks

[Miguel]

Looks like Haley, signing payroll checks

Good practice. She should give me a job.