SYRACUSE — Winter weather derailed much of what was scheduled in Syracuse for Saturday night, but it was not enough to keep the afternoon’s indoor activities at Lakeland Youth Center from happening as planned. However, the scheduled afternoon sleigh rides were a casualty of the snowy conditions.

Well over 100 people came through LYC’s doors to build gingerbread houses out of a variety of edible goodies. According to LYC’s Cheryl Manning, the event has been taking place annually for the past 15 years. “The first couple of years, we held it at the community center. We moved it here many years ago and have made it a fun family event.

“Last year we had 101 people and the year before that we had 120, so the wintry weather hasn’t slowed people down!” Manning enthusiastically continued.

“We’ve had a lot of families come in. The children build their gingerbread houses and often the moms and dad come in to help too.”

Several adults volunteered their time at the event, as well, including Crystal Malone, Laura Schrek, Anita Ashton and Tracy Sumpter, who also serves on the LYC board of directors. Two Wawasee High School seniors, Caleb Glon and Alexandria Batista, were there to lend a hand as well. According to Manning, Glon and Batista are “LYC Scholarship kids” who often help out at events at the center.

As reported early on InkFreeNews, the season’s first snowfall has delayed Santa’s arrival in Syracuse.  According to Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce’s Sylvia Gargett, the presentation by the InClognito Cloggers at 5:45 p.m. has been cancelled as well as Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the town Christmas Tree. At this point, there is still free cookies and cocoa, live reindeer and sleigh rides.