BY CAROL MOSLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
The dining hall was decked with boughs of holly and Christmas decorations for the Brooker Community School’s breakfast with Santa. Students donned red and green outfits while teachers and volunteers dressed as elves to assist with logistics and serve food. Santa sat on the stage in a green velvet chair, among the Christmas trees and candy canes, ready to take requests for presents from good girls and boys.
Parents and children went through the line for a breakfast consisting of pancakes with warm syrup, sausage and grits. The pancakes were hot off the griddle of frequent volunteer, Eddie Barnes, father of third grade teacher, Stephanie Nash. The breakfast was a fundraiser for the school at $5 per plate. So was the raffle for games and toys, such as a train set and two bicycles, that were donated by local businesses.
There were Letters to Santa for the kids to color saying, “Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I hope you bring me ________.” The letter then promises to set out cookies. Once signed, letters were either handed directly to Santa or placed in the mailbox to be sent to the North Pole.
Santa is a regular visitor, brought to our region by Lonnie Norman, who hosts an annual Christmas Bash on the first Saturday of each December. The Norman home in Lake Butler is turned into a winter wonderland to thrill the public. This year’s celebration was attended by about 150 visitors.
Mrs. Claus was not available to join Santa at the school this time, but the Normans arrange for Mr. and Mrs. Claus to visit groups such as schools and nursing homes. When asked what prompts Mr. Norman to spend so much time and energy on spreading Christmas joy, he responded, “I do it all in memory my father. I’m carrying on his tradition.”
Everyone agreed that sharing this breakfast with Santa set the stage for abundant holiday cheer ahead and a very merry Christmas for all.
