Wilmot’s good little girls and boys had a chance to see Santa, not once but twice during a fun-filled afternoon on December 10. The event began at the Wilmot Community Association (WCA) Red Barn and ended at the Wilmot Public Library. Mary Kulacz from the WCA board of directors and Michelle Travis, Library Director organized this very special event.

As with most successful programs, Santa’s visit to Wilmot drew on the creativity and hard work of many. First and foremost, a huge thank you to Santa for taking time away from his busy schedule to spend the afternoon in Wilmot. Photographer John Swindell from Kearsarge Studios did a beautiful job photographing kids and families with Santa. Santa’s elf, Carla Hoyt, kept the line moving and children smiling. Photographs will be mailed out as soon as they are ready. Thanks to John, the first copy is free! Families can contact John at photos.kearsargestudios.com/ for additional copies or more information.

Santa’s second elf, Lela Henskens, helped the children with a holiday craft project. There were cookies, cocoa, and carols for all. John Schlosser and George West from the Fondtones and Nancy Schlosser entertained everyone with a holiday sing along. Additional volunteers at the WCA Red Barn included Ann Davis, Adam Glass, Darlene Hoyt, and Rachel Seamans – thank you!  

Bellies were warm and full of cookies before everyone headed out into the cold for the Wilmot Public Library. The children had another go at a fun craft project and decorated the Library’s Christmas tree with mitten ornaments. The children then gathered around Santa and head elf Snowflake for a reading of Clement C. Moore’s timeless holiday classic, “The Night Before Christmas.” After the reading, each child received a gift book.

A warm thank you goes out to Santa’s library elves Jackie Thompson and Deb Ransom. With a lot of moving parts, they helped the program run smoothly. We are also grateful for the many library volunteers who wrapped books and decorated the library.

A final thank you goes out to Sean Brunel and the Wilmot Volunteer Fire Department. Santa’s sleigh was in the shop for a final pre-flight check for his big trip on the night of the 24th. Sean stepped up to drive Santa to Wilmot.

Happy holidays to all,

Mary Kulacz,
WCA board of directors

Michelle Travis,
Wilmot Public Library