Santa experts share the inside story
There is no better place to find Santa experts than at a breakfast with the jolly old elf himself.
Children gathered for two sessions of Breakfast with Santa, presented by the Butler County Parks and Recreation Department, Saturday at the Butler Township Park Building.
One authority on Santa Claus is Eliza Clark, 4 — well almost 5. Her birthday is Dec. 26.
It's no mystery to Eliza on how Santa can get into her Butler home, which has no fireplace, to deliver all those presents.
“With a magic key,” she explained dipping her banana in butter.
Eliza brought an entourage with her for the breakfast, crafts and a visit with the red-suited celebrity: her 3-year-old brother, Blake; her aunt and uncle, Lynsey and Travis Frenchak, and her parents, Jen and Justin Clark, all of Butler.
For example, Santa's round little belly and shakes when he laughs like a bowlful of jelly is easily explained by a fan.
“Because he eats too much food,” said Eliza, who also commented on Rudolph's waistline.
Yet the lead reindeer is much beloved by the young girl who sported a bright red nose so she could “pretend that I'm Rudolph.”Eliza's brother asked for “all the presents” as he pointed to the sky indicating that he too was well-versed on Santa lore.Eliza is asking for a unicorn robot. The adults seated at her table didn't have a clue what a unicorn robot is, but Santa knows.“She expects Santa to make that,” Uncle Frenchak said.While munching waffles, twins Brandt and Easton Reeder shed light on why red is Santa's favorite color.“Cause red is light,” Easton explained. “Rudolph has a red nose,” Brandt added.The 6-year-olds are the sons of Jim and Jenna Reeder of Butler. It was the family's first Breakfast with Santa.Santa's mode of transportation was a hot topic for those waiting for their moment with Santa.Drake Wilson, 9, of Butler who attended with his mother, Jennifer Chacon, and his grandparents, Diane Wilson and “Poppa” Willy, is a big train fan. And while he would love to see one under the family tree, it wouldn't do for Santa to deliver packages by train.“Reindeers can fly all over around the ocean,” he explained.
Mason Messina, 3, who will be spending his first Christmas in Butler County, might be alright with Santa delivering gifts by race car, an item on his wish list, but he'd pass on going along for the ride.“Too cold,” said the son of Ann and Ken Messina of flying with Santa. The family recently moved to Center Township from North Dakota.But not all believers were talking — like Evelina Coulter, 2, of Meridian. Other than showing her letter in which she asked for a baby doll, even mother Nicole Coulter and grandmother Denise Napoletan could not persuade Evelina to share Santa's secrets.After breakfast, making snowmen and rein deer food, those attending got a chance to turn in their letters and sit on Santa's lap.“The younger children, when they see Santa for the first time their eyes light up,” said Lance Welliver, director of Butler County Parks and Recreation Department. The veteran Santa helper was snapping photos of man of the hour and his fans.“Kids in Butler County have been especially good this year,” Santa revealed Saturday to the Eagle.Mason was among those in Santa's good graces dropping off his wish list of race cars and James and Gordon Island of Soden trains.He was also quick to respond when his mother asked the reason for the holiday season. “Because it's Jesus's birthday,” Mason said.
