Holiday activities fill town to brim with Christmas spirit

SHARON — Taking time out from his hectic preholiday schedule, Santa Claus left the North Pole to visit the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon on Saturday, Dec. 3.A large crowd of local and visiting youngsters came to the library with their parents and grandparents to explain their Christmas wish list to Santa. Many parents were overheard telling Santa this was the third, fourth or fifth year their child was visiting him at the library. Naturally, Santa replied, “Of course, I remember him [or her].”To the amazement of most youngsters, Santa used his finger to write their requests on a magical toy list only he could see. Santa explained to his visitors he meets so many children, he has to write down their wishes so he remembers what to leave at their homes on Christmas Eve.All the library rooms were open during Santa’s visit and many children were exploring the world of books after registering their Christmas desires with him.The library provided colorful holiday cookies and apple cider for all the visitors.At dusk, the Christmas tree on the town Green was lit, to the delight of several hundred people of all ages, from infants to seniors.Liz Shapiro, executive director of the Sharon Historical Society, served as emcee. Lively holiday music was provided by the Salisbury Band Christmas Brass and Hot Chocolate Society.Shapiro led the crowd in singing holiday songs to music played by the band.Even though it was a fairly mild evening, everyone was happy to then head over to the festively decorated Historical Society for hot chocolate and cookies.There was also a cranberry wreath-making class for children taught by several teenaged volunteers.

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Photo by Riley Klein

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Dan Howe at the Kearcher-Monsell Gallery at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
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