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 This was the next best thing to being able to sit on
Santa’s lap and whisper wishes in his ear and all the children but
maybe one or two were happy just to spend time face to face with the
iconic Christmas character.
The event, sponsored by Sorrento’s and other downtown
businesses began at 4:30 p.m. By shortly after 4 p.m. families were
lined up on the sidewalk well past Mary Todd Hallmark awaiting their
turn to see Santa.
The event was designed to be coronavirus compliant. Families were
asked to stay in groups. Green marks were placed on the sidewalk to
designate the requested six-foot spacing between them. Everyone was
encouraged to wear their face masks. When approaching the window,
kids were asked to stop at the “North Pole” and wait until they were
directed to go forward.
Once children were on the bench at the window, they were permitted
to remove their face masks if desired for photos and to speak with
Santa.
The use of a baby monitor made it possible for Santa
to hear the kids and the kids to hear him. Each child enjoyed a time
of visiting with Santa and not many seemed to care at all that there
was a window between them.
There are always those who are a little leery of the white beard and
red suit, but only a few children simply refused to get too close.
After visiting with Santa, and getting some photos taken by happy
parents, the children moved on to spend a few minutes with Mrs.
Claus. As many know, Mrs. Claus has a mom who loves to knit and
crochet.
She spends her free time throughout the year knitting
and crocheting winter caps for children. Then she gives them all to
her daughter, Mrs. Claus, with instructions for each child who comes
to visit Santa be given a hat from “Grandma Claus.”
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In addition to a new hat, kids also had the choice of
candy treats given out by Mrs. Claus.
From there, more great things awaited. Top Hat Creamery was there
with the Traveling Top Hat. Owner Lisa Mestinsek was handing out
cups of hot chocolate and single scoop cups of ice cream.
Top Hat and Guest House Pastries and Coffee provided free hot
chocolate and coffee. The ice cream cups were provided by several of
the downtown businesses.
Lisa Drew, owner of Sorrento’s explained that it began with a call
from Alyssa Schneider of Schneider Chiropractic that she wanted to
buy 50 single scoops of ice cream to be given away to the first 50
children to visit Santa.
Drew said that the donation was an amazing gift, and greatly
appreciated. However, there soon became a concern for child number
51.
Drew and others put the word out that Schneider was donating ice
cream and Drew said it just ballooned from there. They received
enough sponsorships to provide about 600 cups of ice cream.
Those who donated in addition to Schneider were Joe Ryan, Country
Financial; Top Hat Creamery, Sorrento’s Pizzeria; Adam Nagrocki,
Country Financial; Michelle Bauer, Country Financial; Matt Arnold,
Grieme-Arnold Insurance; State Bank of Lincoln, Heartland Community
College, JM Abbott & Associates; Deron Powell, State Farm, and one
anonymous sponsor.
It was a good night filled with happy people and smiling faces.
Thanks to Sorrento’s and the downtown businesses for coming up with
a plan that made Christmas a little brighter for our local kids and
families.
[Nila Smith]
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