Santa comes to town

WINFIELD - Santa isn't going to let a pandemic keep him from visiting the world's boys and girls to learn what they want for Christmas.

He is, however, taking appropriate safety precautions to stop the spread of the virus. That was on display Saturday when Santa visited children outside the Winfield Public Library. He appeared in the back of an auctioneer's truck courtesy of Sullivan Auctioneers in Hamilton, Ill., which allowed him to chat with kids at a safe distance. Kids climbed a staircase that put them within a few feet of Ol' St. Nick.

Winfield librarian Jacque Lake said Santa visits the library every year, usually at an event indoors. But the pandemic complicated that this year, a time when large indoor gatherings are discouraged.

Lake said library officials thought about how to continue the tradition of Santa's visit in a responsible way, and this is the idea they hatched. She thanked Sullivan Auctioneers from lending their truck, which happens to be red, just like Santa's sleigh.

The event lasted two hours and drew a good crowd, 44 kids and 40 adults. After Santa finished hearing from the area's girls and boys, he stopped at the Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield to spread Christmas cheer to the center's residents. Lake mentioned that the care center's residents always fill the candy bags Santa gives to kids, including this year. Children received stickers from Lake and a craft bag put together by the library's young adult book club.

Children were thrilled to see Santa and eager to share their wish list with him. Six-year-old Audrey Carroll asked him for LOL Dolls and Little Pets, while her 2-year-old brother Duke asked for tractors and combines.

Hope McSorley brought her two children to see Santa Saturday morning. She was glad the library put on the event, because she was worried it might be canceled, and her kids wouldn't get to meet Santa. Her 6-year-old daughter Briston asked St. Nick for an OMG Dollhouse, and her 4-year-old son Benjamin asked him for a 'loud gun” and earmuffs.

Eleven-year-old Brynn Pogmore is a bookworm and asked Santa for manga books. Manga refers to a kind of Japanese comic book or graphic novel. Pogmore said she loves Harry Potter books, but lately she's been reading more manga books.

Five-year-old Lexi Martin asked for a baby crib, and 3-year-old Zoe Cortez asked for toys featuring Baby Shark and Paw Patrol. Bryson Canseco, 7, asked for a Los Angeles Police Department truck. Five-year-old Gracelynn Giesel's request was simple: dolls, please.