Santa Claus is coming to town

Jefferson - It’s that time of year again as children everywhere anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus, and the Jefferson Township Recreation Department will help fulfill those dreams even before Dec. 25 arrives, so mark Dec. 2 on your calendar. Further, this year’s Visit with Santa event is being held in conjunction with the Jefferson Arts Committee’s Christmas in the Village event; and as such, Camp Jefferson is a free parking area during the day and an official shuttle bus stop. So gather up the eager children and join Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, and Santa’s Elves on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Community Lodge at Camp Jefferson located at 81 Weldon Road. Santa will visit with the children from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (note that Santa and Mrs. Claus will be out to lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.) and handing out candy canes and goodie bags. In addition to visiting with Santa, there will be holiday music, children’s’ craft projects, and a model train display (in the Train Cabin on the grounds) for everyone to enjoy. Beverages and hot dogs will be available for a nominal fee. At the same time, members of the Jefferson Consolidated PTA will be hosting its Holiday Shoppe in the Community Lodge offering children the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts for family and friends at nominal prices. Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Recreation Department would appreciate it if attendees coming could bring a non-perishable food item (canned tuna/meats, soups, beef stew, corned beef hash, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, non-refrigerated canned/bottled juices, canned or powdered milk, cereal, crackers) or a paper product (toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins, etc.) to help restock the Jefferson Township food pantry. Everyone is invited to come and join in the excitement and encouraged to bring along the camera and/or video equipment to catch those memorable shots of a child on Santa’s lap. When your visit with Santa and shopping is done, catch the shuttle bus (which will be running continuously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and visit other Christmas in the Village events. The shuttle bus will stop at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, the American Legion Post #423, the Jefferson Township Senior Center, and the Jefferson Township Public Library. You will be able to enjoy live entertainment, exciting activities, shopping, food, and refreshments at those venues as well as being able to walk to the Jefferson Township Museum, Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1’s building and grounds, and Milton United Methodist Church for other events. Go to www.jeffersonarts.org or www.jeffersontownship.net (Events) for details or call 973-697-8675, 973-697-5382, or 973-697-8898. Santa will have a busy day as he will be returning to the Jefferson Township Gazebo located in the Municipal Complex at 1033 Weldon Road via a Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1 fire truck after dinner that evening at 7 p.m. for the lighting of the township’s holiday tree. At that time, everyone will enjoy a performance by the Jefferson Township Middle School Chorus, guest appearances by the Mayor’s 2006 Citizens of the Year Margit Rahill and Neil VanDyke, and the reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Brooke Hardy. All raffle winners from the day’s Christmas in the Village event will be announced, and the children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa. There will be refreshments afterwards in the Municipal Building lobby. Donations of non-perishable food items and paper products will also be accepted at this event. For more information about Visit with Santa and the Christmas Tree Lighting as well as the Christmas in the Village event is available by calling the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404.