Santa Joins Mayor Meloche, Council, LaSalle Families for Breakfast

By: Kenneth Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

The Town of LaSalle hosted their third annual Breakfast with Santa and the Mayor at The Landing.

“This is such a wonderful event,” said Santa Claus, when he was interviewed by the LaSalle Post.

Town councillor Jeff Renaud agreed and added by saying its “probably the best turnout I’ve seen.”

Renaud was acting as a greeter, pointing guests waiting in line toward fellow

councillors Terry Burns, Mayor Crystal Meloche and Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo, who were serving pancakes for nearly two and a half hours.

“Although I was told it wasn’t a sellout, you could see there’s maybe about 10 pancakes with five minutes before the end,” said Renaud, late Saturday morning. “I think it was incredibly successful.”

The Town of LaSalle hosted their third annual Breakfast with Santa and the Mayor at The Landing.

 

The mayor later said it was sold out this year. Whether it was sold out or close to being sold out, both agreed it was “another fantastic year.”

“Lots of families, lots of laughter, super-cute kids in all their Christmas attire and honestly, just a chance to be with Santa,” said Meloche.

Indeed, there were many adorable children wearing Santa caps, elf ears, tacky sweaters and other Christmas apparel waiting in line with their parents for the chance to meet and greet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Families were entertained by magician Brad Toulouse and photo-ops with four enchanting princesses from Evermore Princess Parties. All five were roving the floor of the event centre as was the

furry-costumed “Mean Green” man from Stuff with Fluff balloons. (It was safe to assume “Mean Green’s” heart had grown to three times his normal size by 11:30 a.m.)

DJ Jon played all the Christmas hit songs from cartoon shows the parents grew up watching on TV when

they were children. Face painting was provided by Funky Faces and removable airbrushed tattoos were

applied by B-Beauty. Velvet Edge Entertainment provided the children “curious guided play” activities

like juggling ball and spinning a plate on a stick for amusement.

“So many families came out with their children to enjoy a visit with Santa and a delicious meal,” said

Spagnuolo, referring to the breakfast provided by McDonald’s McCafe.

“It was just a beautiful day to continue the holiday season.”

The Town of LaSalle’s holiday season began with Holiday Lights Heritage Nights at the Civic Centre where

lights are on display daily from 5-10 p.m. until Jan. 5. There will also be New Year’s Eve fireworks at the

Vollmer Complex. LaSalle Fire/Rescue is accepting donations for Sparky’s Toy Drive until Dec. 23. (Kale

Blanchette and Ethan Kopecky of LaSalle Fire/Rescue were at Breakfast with Santa and the Mayor collecting toys.)

“This is something we do for the public and they all like it,” said Burns right before closing

time. “What can we say? It doesn’t get any better than this and this is what the Landing is for.”

Again, on Sat., Dec. 7, the Landing was for Breakfast with Santa and the Mayor. After there were no more

children waiting in line, the LaSalle Post talked with Santa about his standard list of questions.

Santa said there are so many possibilities, but what the children really want to tell him and Mrs. Claus is

how good they’ve been and how they get along with their parents and siblings.

Santa also said he likes to talk about how well the children are doing in school and if they’ve doing all

their chores at home. He may also ask if they are patient with and kind to people. And if they stand up to

bullies or if they are protecting their friends when they get bullied.

And of course, it’s important for Santa to asked what’s on the children’s Christmas lists.

“It’s amazing how much information the children really do want to share with us,” said Santa. “So, they

let us know why they should be getting those gifts.”

Photos by Kenneth Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

 

The children also tell Santa and Mrs. Claus where they will be staying for Christmas, and if they won’t be in town, they will tell them where to drop off the presents.

Mrs. Claus will also remind the children to do things like making their beds and brushing their teeth before it was time for them to go.

Before it was time for everyone to go, the LaSalle Post snapped a photo of Mayor Meloche with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

At the Event Centre exit, a carrier pulled 23 letters from Santa’s Mailbox which included his North Pole

address and HOH OHO postal code. Mayor Meloche assured the LaSalle Post of Santa reading all the

children’s letters and will reply provided there is a return address.