Story Time receives a special visit from Santa Claus
Published 6:09 am Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye
Maliah Rae Hill, age 4, poses for a picture with Santa after telling him what she wants for Christmas.
With his big trip around the world less than two weeks away, Santa took time out of his busy schedule to visit with young readers at the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library on Tuesday.
In preparation of their special visitor, the children in the pre-school age Story Time program began their day with a musical parade. The children sang the popular Christmas carol Jingle Bells as they marched and played musical instruments.
Following the musical parade, the young readers assisted Children’s Librarian Ashlee Williams in decorating a special Christmas stocking for Santa Claus by adorning it with stickers.
The jolly ol’ elf himself arrived shortly after the stocking was completed and he greeted the children with a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas.”
Santa talked to the children about the work the elves are busy doing at the North Pole and also about his trip to visit them. He said he was glad to have his favorite reindeer Rudolph with him Tuesday morning as he encountered heavy fog over the Ohio River on his way to Elizabethton.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye
Santa Claus reads Twas The Night Before Christmas during Story Time at the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library on Tuesday.
Santa then read the children the popular Christmas tale “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” The children listened intently as Santa shared the story of one family’s encounter with him on Christmas Eve.
After reading to the children, Santa took the time to meet with each one to review their status on the Naughty or Nice List and to hear their Christmas wishes. The children requested a wide variety of gifts they hoped to find under their Christmas tree on Christmas morning — such as dolls, games and even a motorcycle.
Santa also graciously posed for photos with the little ones before having to depart for the North Pole.
Santa will be back in town for a couple of special events this week before he has to hunker down with the elves and make his final preparations for his Christmas Eve flight.
On Wednesday morning Santa returned to the library for the second group of pre-school age Story Time participants. On Friday, he will make an appearance at a special Story Time session which is being held at the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Center on Mill Street from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
