Santa keeps up brisk pace at Albion holiday event

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa Claus had breakfast in Albion on Saturday at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street and then posed for photos at the Salih Studio on East Bank Street.

In this photo, Idris Salih, right, takes a picture of Marianne Aarons of Clarendon and her grandchildren from Albion. She is holding grandson Max Hoffman. His sisters, Camille and Celeste, are in the back row.

It was a whirlwind day for Santa, who also appeared at the Hoag Library and Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot as well as several other local spots.

Mrs. Claus visited Knight’s Pride on Main Street and welcomed children, including Maida Cruz-Kelley, 7, of Albion, to sign the magic scroll and also write letters to Santa. Children were told if they weren’t good their names might vanish from the scroll when she gives it to Santa.

Mrs. Claus also made ornaments with children and joined then for cookies.

“I’m worried about Santa,” she told some of the kids. “He has been very busy lately.”

There were many activities in the downtown and on Main Street for the third annual Hometown Holiday sponsored by the Albion Merchants Association. The band, The Fauxtones, also performed in the Pratt Performing Arts Center.

A goodwill offering was taken to benefit the Orleans County United Way. The group of Albionites includes, from left: Sebastian Erakare on lead vocals and guitar; Ben Schell on drums; and Jan-Mikael Erakare on vocals and bass.