Closing out 2024 was Santa’s visit to the Omena Firehall on Christmas Eve. It is a tradition that is over 75 years old. For many years, it has been sponsored by Omena’s Club 21. It was another fun year this year, with over 30 people, including about a dozen kids, who came to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. The event included caroling and cookies leading up to Santa’s arrival.
The multi-generation families who have enjoyed Santa’s visit to Omena are a testament to the deep roots that the tradition has. Hazel, Violet and Wallace Kohler were third generation visitors to Santa. Their mother, Emily Stanton Kohler, frequently came back to Omena for the holidays with her parents, Stephen and Mary Hallett Stanton, when she was growing up. They would visit her mother’s family, the Halletts, in Omena. Having grown up in Omena, Mary went to see Santa every year.
Tanner, Mason, and Emma Brown are third generation Omena residents, and at least second generation Santa-goers. Their father, Tony, always went with his parents, Susie and the late Glenn Brown.
Astrid Lingaur is a fifth generation Omena resident, going back to her great-great grandparents, Clifford and Geneva Putnam Smith. Her great grandfather, Jon Smith, grew up in Omena, and her grandparents, Jeff and Sheila Lingaur, and her mother, Emily Lingaur, are Omena residents now.
Carson Alexander was the youngest visitor to Santa this year, and is the youngest current Omena “native”. He and his sister, Emma, are the grandchildren of Omena residents Ray and Mary Jo Draeger.
Santa handed out bags of candy to all of the kids, and a good time was had by all. Many thanks to Diane Joyce for again heading up this event, to everyone who baked cookies and donated candy, and to Eugenie Von Holt for again putting together all of the candy bags, and to Club 21 for supporting it. Mary Smart, Mike and Joan TenBrock, and Diane and Jack Joyce did a great job leading the caroling. As always, Eric Hallett got Santa safely to the firehall in the Omena fire truck, and Kristi Hallett and Susan Krusel were Santa’s helpers.
And, now, the New Year is upon us. Hopefully, there will be some snow for outdoor winter fun. There is definitely plenty to do inside. The Northport Arts Association (NAA) has an exciting list of classes to kick off the new year. They are also starting a new Art Club that will meet on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Go to the NAA website for more details on classes and events, and to register.
The NAA Christmas in the Village Arts Building exhibit ends this Saturday. Don’t miss this great display of local talent. It will be open from noon – 4 pm this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Leelanau Township Library in Northport has activities for young and old. They hold a Book Discussion on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 1:30 pm. They have a started a “Kids’ Crafternoon” from 3 to 5:45 p.m. every Wednesday. The Library has crafts and other activities available for kids of all ages. It is a drop in format with opportunities for creativity and enjoying other families’ company.
T heLibrarywillbehostingthe Great Decisions Discussion program on Thursdays from Jan. 9 through Feb. 27 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. You can go to the Library’s website for more information on all of their programs.
I haven’t decided what my New Year’s resolutions will be. I thought maybe I should try not to procrastinate so much, but procrastination isn’t such a bad thing. You always have something to do tomorrow, and nothing to do today.
Happy Birthday this week to Aric Browning, Tabitha Pearson, Judy Balas, Richard Bronke, Bryn Waskiewicz, and to twins Ryan and Sara Harris and their grandfather, John Harris, who celebrates one of those “milestone” birthdays this year.
Happy Anniversary to Mason and Shelbie Groot.
