Santa, and snow, arrive in time for the holidays

AMENIA — The holiday season was celebrated with the help of Santa Claus, as well as with some genuine snowflakes, on the first bona fide day of winter weather this past Sunday in Amenia and Wassaic.

At the now 20-year-old tradition for the Amenia Free Library, the line went out the door in the early afternoon of Dec. 3, as parents and children lined up patiently for their picture with Santa Claus, as well as warm apple cider served by library board Treasurer Charlotte Murphy and home-baked goodies courtesy of the library’s board and staff.

“We’ve been coming here since I was a little kid,� said Cory Chinn, who now has a family of her own that she brought.

In Amenia, and then shortly after at the Wassaic firehouse, Santa and his elf helpers were a big hit. Children’s reactions ranged from nervous to giddy. Barbies and iPods were popular requests, although one girl wasn’t sure why she had to tell Santa what she wanted since she’d “already told Santa at the mall.�

A few holiday hopefuls even saved some of their more expensive gift suggestions for the big man himself, to the surprise of parents.

“I’d like a dirt bike,� announced 5-year-old Eugene Futrell to Santa. His mother raised her eyebrows skeptically upon hearing the news.

In Wassaic, the fire company and ladies auxiliary provided presents and hot cocoa for every child who met with Santa, made possible through the Toys for Tots program, explained Wassaic Fire Company President Nancy Luther.

Following the visits with Santa, both Amenia and Wassaic held separate tree-lighting ceremonies. At Fountain Square near the center of Amenia, Webelos Pack 29, celebrating the Boys Scouts’ 100th year, were selling handmade wreaths to raise funds for their activities.

“They work really hard to pay their own entrance to events and activities,� said pack leader Vicki Jasmin.

Raffle prizes were awarded at each of the ceremonies and holiday songs were sung. The Citizen of the Year awards were presented. Amenia’s Herb Eschbach was selected for his contributions to the upkeep of Fountain Square as well as his participation in veterans affairs on the county level, while Wassaic’s award went to Orpha Thomas, who for the past decade-and-a-half has been the president of the town’s senior citizens group.

The Christmas trees lit up as they have every year, after a countdown from those gathered around the holiday feature. Meanwhile, snow continued to fall lightly on the ground, marking the official start to Amenia’s holiday season.