Breakfast With Santa took place at North Webster Community Center Saturday, Dec. 14. Emerson Roberts, left, and Kami Swartzlander are pictured sitting on Santa’s lap.

Text and Photos
by Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Santa arrived in North Webster a bit early this year, stopping for a visit at the North Webster Community Center for Breakfast With Santa Saturday morning, Dec. 14.

Santa set up shop in the Culver Family Wellness Center located inside the NWCC, where children could tell him what they most wanted for Christmas. Mrs. Claus was also there to read Christmas storybooks for the kids. Santa reported all the children he’d spoken to were on the nice list.

Ember Lynn Prater, 6, stated she wanted to ask Santa for Hot Wheels and a monster truck.

Aiyanna Birks, 10, said she wanted “whatever Santa brings.”

Eleven-year-old Graysen Shipley said he would like to ask Santa for a bull whip or an electric guitar.

Breakfast was served by the Lakeland Kiwanis Club, who cooked up pancakes, sausages and eggs for everyone to enjoy.

“This is actually one of my favorite events we do,” said NWCC Director Emily Shipley. “I love partnering with Kiwanis. They take care of the breakfast, and then we have Girl Scouts here helping today, the Key Club from (Wawasee High School) and the Ambassadors Club from (North Webster Elementary School), so it’s a community event.”

The Kiwanis Club’s Festival of Trees is also underway, so guests could walk around and view each decorated Christmas tree in NWCC’s halls. One tree was covered with crocheted hats made by community member Karen Cumings, who donated them to NWCC for Breakfast With Santa guests to take for free. The tree will be up for as long as supplies last.

The yearly free sleigh rides at the North Webster Community Public Library had to be canceled due to the cold temperatures, but the library still offered free hot cocoa and make and take crafts until 11 a.m.