Jolly Old Saint Nicolas and his wife stopped in at Rohan Recreation on Friday to visit with Villagers and their families during Camp Villages Holiday Weeks.
The Villages Recreation and Parks Department hosted The Santa Claus is Coming to Town! event as part of its Christmas-themed activities for residents and their families. From arts and crafts to movie nights, golf, scavenger hunts and learning about cultures around the world, the events provide fun and games for those of all ages.
Heather Moreno, recreation supervisor for lifestyle events, said she hopes the holiday camp brings families closer together.
“Santa is the main attraction, of course,” she said. “I hope the event is a great memory-building opportunity for grandparent and grandchild.”
Along with the chance to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and to tell them what they wanted for Christmas, Villagers’ grandchildren could participate in nine activities that included writing letters, playing a Santa hat ring toss game and building binoculars.
As soon as they arrived, Katherine and Elizabeth Drey made a beeline to Santa.
After snapping a few special photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Drey sisters played a friendly game of bingo with Katherine marking off a row of Christmas items before her sister.
Elaine Booth, of the Village of Pinellas, took photographs of her granddaughters enjoying the activities together. It was the third Camp Villages event they all participated in that day, along with Holidays Around the World: Germany and Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt: “Can’t Catch Me!”
The girls said they have been having fun with their grandmother and look forward to spending the holidays with their family.
“I hope everyone has a good Christmas,” said Katherine, with Elizabeth nodding in full agreement.
This was the third year in a row Mike and Jenny Wolchike, of the Village of Winifred, portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus. The couple said one of the most important parts of the gig is giving children a chance to talk about themselves and use their imagination to ask for what they want.
Recalling some of the letters from children they have gotten over the years, they said what has stuck out the most for them is the selflessness of the children.
Mike said he most enjoys being part of an annual event that allows families who may not see each other often to spend quality time together.
“Families can now look forward to seeing Santa in The Villages, where grandma and grandpa are,” he said.
Visiting from California, Michelle and Chad Medeiros brought their three children, Willow, Luke and Wyatt, to spend time with their grandfather, Richard Waters, of the Village of Glenbrook.
“Santa gave them the gift of getting a trip to see Grandpa,” Michelle said. “We are so grateful for Santa’s gift.”
The family participated in several activities during the event, including making binoculars to spot Santa on Christmas Eve and the Santa Sack Toy Toss activity.
As each sibling took a turn trying to toss a toy into Santa’s box, the other siblings cheered them on.
Annette and Richard Forkun, of the Village of Sanibel, brought their granddaughters, Mileena and Evelyn Partridge, visiting from Canada, to meet Santa Claus and his wife.
While at the event, the family stopped at several stations, including one where they made reindeer bell necklaces.
Annette said the family has been busy over the past two weeks, participating in actives from swimming to seeing “The Nutcracker” performed by the Dance Alive National Ballet at The Sharon L. Morse Center, to going to the movies.
“It’s nice that we actually get to do things with them and make a lot of new memories,” she said.
Kendra Holmstead, of the Village of DeLuna, helped her grandson, Declan Moreno, of Middleton, make his Christmas list at one of the activity stations.
“He said he doesn’t know what he wants for Christmas,” Holmstead said. “I want to have some fun time with family. I feel that I have been blessed in so many ways. I don’t really need anything. I just want to be with those I love.”
Holmstead plans to also do several Camp Villages Holiday Week activities with Declan’s two older sisters, including Peppermint Putting and either Giving Back: Cozy & Warm or Giving Back: Home for the Holidays.
“I love that The Villages offers this,” she said. “Our grandkids love it, too.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
