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A Christmas kickoff party |
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Kids and adults witness Santa's arrival, tree
lighting |
By Schellene
Clendenin, Newberg Graphic
reporter
E-mail Schellene at
sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
|
The
night was cold and clear. Anticipation flowed from the children
gathered on the lawn of the Newberg Public Library, much like the
fog that clouded the air before them as they breathed.
Bundled up in warm winter coats, scarves and gloves, their hats
pulled low over eyes wide with expectation, they looked up and down
Sheridan Street.
Santa was on his way.
“Daddy, when will he be here?” asked a little girl, bright blue eyes
and blonde hair peaking from beneath the hood of her pink jacket as
she tugged on her father’s sleeve. He glanced at his watch,
squinting in the dark. “Ten minutes,” he said as he reach down to
take one of her gloved hands in his own and walked toward the front
of the library.
Dozens of families, community members and “elves” — small children
with paper elf ears perched atop their heads — waited patiently.
Soon Santa and Mrs. Claus would arrive.
The jolly pair alighted from a ladder truck provided by the Newberg
Fire Department to shouts of “Santa!” and "He's here!" from the
gathered crowd.
The reindeer, Santa said, were parked at the fire station. There
just wasn’t enough room to park a sleigh and nine tiny reindeer near
the library, he explained.
Then, after singing a carol or two, Santa and Mrs. Claus led the
group to shout “Merry Christmas,” and the tree lit up.
To the children gathered near the library and Chehalem Cultural
Center Thursday night, the effect must have been spectacular.
The tree is different this year from the year before. The former
one, a hemlock which grows next to the library, is about 80 years
old, and after being pressed into service for the past 22 years,
library director Leah Griffith said it was time for it to retire.
The new tree, a massive cedar located across the lawn near the
library annex, was the next choice to decorate, she said.
Ethan Rothlfing, 4, was still wearing his elf ears as he waited
patiently for his turn in line to talk with Santa. A Ninja Turtle
mask was at the top of his wish list. His sister Sidney, 2, wants a
baby doll, he said.
His mother, Martine Rothlfing, said Ethan thought the way Santa lit
the massive tree — by having the crowd call out “Merry Christmas!” —
was magical.
Sidney, smiled in agreement as she offered up a taste of her candy
cane.
“At least it’s not raining,” said a mother, her baby wrapped in
blankets and nestled on her shoulder, sleeping. “Yeah,” nodded
another mom, her hands wrapped around the bar of a stroller, her
child almost indistinguishable under the blankets.
The event began with a kids’ craft fair. Children and a few parents
sat at tables in the brightly lit but chilly cultural center.
Jewelry, snowmen made of socks and heating pads that could be
microwaved were some of the offerings available for purchase.
Nathan Swanson, 13, had already made $40 selling his “marshmallow
guns” for $5 each. The money raised will help pay the travel costs
for Chehalem Valley Middle School students planning to head to
Washington D.C. next year.
Swanson said he bought one of the guns and liked it so much that he
made more for sale at the fair.
While children lined up to meet Santa, dozens of others stood
around tables to decorate gingerbread houses (actually made from
graham crackers).
Fruit ring cereal, peppermint drops and Mini Wheats, as well as
M&M’s, jelly beans and shredded coconut made up some of the
decorations.
Zachary and Austin Babcock, age 9 and 10 respectively, were
building their house to look like their real home.
His focus complete, Zachary carefully placed two crossed candy canes
at the edge of the house’s “yard” with a bit of frosting. Their
family makes gingerbread houses every few years, Austin said. “We’re
doing pretty good,” he said, leaning back a fraction and looking
over the house.
In addition to the candy canes, it featured a lifesaver chimney,
red and green jelly bean garden and lots of coconut “snow.”
This was the first year the cultural center has offered events in
the old Central School building.
More will be offered this season, beginning Dec. 9 with a
continental breakfast, kid’s crafts and pictures with Santa, 9-11
a.m. at the center, 415 E. Sheridan St. Reservations are required.
Cost is $3. At 11 a.m. visitors are invited to travel by miniature
scale steam engine train from Centennial Park to Carnegie Court.
Conductor is John Kelso, local train enthusiast. From 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 the center will host an Artisan Holiday Craft
Fair which includes a village-like atmosphere, crafts, food and
gifts. Call 503-537-2909 for reservations and details. |
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From
Dec. 2,
2006, Newberg Graphic
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