Special Guest Visits Library

MARIA GRISWOLD
ONEONTA

On the morning of Tuesday, July 22, the Huntington Memorial library was buzzing with excitement in the children’s section. Kids gathered eagerly in the story circle, awaiting a special guest. As the clock struck 9:30, Santa Claus meandered down the stairs in his large fur coat, fluffy hat and big boots. The children watched in awe as Claus entered the story circle; many asked how he could stand to be there in the heat with his suit.

Santa Claus visits the Huntington Memorial Library twice each year. He ventures down from the North Pole in July and December for these special days. During the event on Tuesday, Claus read two books to the kids.

“Santa Duck,” written by David Milgrim, is a book about kindness and giving, and helps young children to understand the value of putting others first. “Santa’s Island,” by Steve Breen, features a young boy stowing away on Santa’s sleigh and discovering his vacation island. Both books received great feedback from the audience, with numerous children raving about the possibility of Santa being a duck. Once story time was over, everyone gathered to take a turn sitting on the jolly old elf’s lap.

There was a crowd of about a dozen kids and their families, all thrilled to see “the big man” five months before Christmas. A multitude of children swarmed around Claus, all eager to share their holiday wish lists. One child asked for a Jeep with four doors. In response, Claus stated that real Jeeps only have two doors. When those festivities ended, the children made their way to other sections of the library to continue playing.

The story circle with Santa took place in the children’s section of the Huntington Memorial Library and was repeated on Wednesday, July 23. Donna Foote, the library’s children’s coordinator, was present to facilitate these festive events.

“It’s like our regular December program,” Foote stated. “It’s just a little warmer.”

Santa Claus will return on two as yet to be determined dates in December for the regularly scheduled Christmastime fun.

For more information about this and other library events, visit https://hmloneonta.org/.