Santa had a busy Saturday

By Maurice Emery
Editor Emeritus

Kids all over the area made sure they were up early and on their best behavior Saturday. Word had gotten out that Santa was coming to Littleton to have breakfast. They had heard that Santa’s memory is better in the morning, especially right after he has his breakfast. 

The little ones had given a lot of thought to the fact that with all the stuff Santa has to remember, they should tell him what their wishes were as early as possible so he will remember them. 

Santa was going to have breakfast at the Littleton United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The little ones got their parents ready and pushed them out the door to make sure they would be talking to Santa as early as possible.

Many of the youngsters had a plan for the morning. “I want to get breakfast before I see Santa,” said Skylar Kimball of Four Seasons. She wanted to make sure she started the day off right and her mind was clear for her visit with Santa. 

More than 200 kids and other family members filled up Santa’s time Saturday. Being the patient man that he is Santa listened to all the requests. Some of the little ones must have gotten up to early, because by the time they were ready to see the jolly one, they had fallen back to sleep in mom’s or dad’s arms.

For several of the little ones, like Jordan Fitts of Littleton, it was their first time visiting Santa.  Jordan was ready with his requests for Santa. “I would like a four wheeler, a game boy and a play station,” he told Santa.

Some of the little ones asked Santa for gifts for others besides themselves. After Karley Eason told Santa she would like an American Girl Doll she also mentioned that a Santa outfit for her little puppy would be nice. The American Girl Doll was a popular request for Santa. 

Little Shanessa Alston asked Santa for a basketball hoop, a four-wheeler, and a Playstation 2.  Shanessa wasn’t the only one who wanted a 4-wheeler. Several of the local kids were heard asking Santa for one.

The little ones said good-bye to Santa just in time for him to be in the annual Littleton Christmas Parade. Santa’s reindeer were resting up for the big trip on Christmas. To help make sure the reindeer got all the rest they needed the Littleton Fire Department offered their services with a fire support truck to pull him in the parade.

Once the parade was over Santa had to go across the lake for lunch and a visit with more little ones.  He made his way to the Gasburg Volunteer Fire Department where about fifty kids were waiting for him. 

The little ones on the north side of Lake Gaston were glad that they did not have to get up as early as the kids in Littleton. They were waiting for good old Saint Nicholas and anxious to talk with him. They had a special treat for him that their mom’s and dad’s had planned. 

They knew that when Santa arrived he would join them to have the story of Christmas and other holiday stories read to them. The littlest ones sat with eyes fixed on Erica Wrenn and Karen Floyd as they read to them. 

It was time for the kids to get their picture taken with Santa. The kids that arrived early were first in line. While the other ones had their lunch first. 

The fire department Ladies Auxiliary had their favorite foods waiting for them. They had Dominos Pizza imported, plus homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They also had chips, desert and beverages for the kids and their parents and grandparents. 

When Santa ended his visit with the kids on both sides of Lake Gaston he went home to get a little rest. He still had to make visits to others in the area between now and Christmas and he also has a long trip to make on Christmas Eve.