Breakfast with Santa well attended in McGregor

Members of the McGregor Squirettes of Mary dish out breakfast.

The jolly old elf has certainly been busy making his rounds and Sunday morning he took time to visit the Columbian Club in McGregor.

It’s a regular stop for Santa Claus as he has been the main attraction at the annual Breakfast with Santa for about a dozen years now.

“The event is the opening of the holiday season and next up is our big dinner Dec. 21,” said Laura Belanger, a leader with the McGregor Squirettes of Mary #1001.

The girls youth group has about 30 members and the Breakfast with Santa is one of the annual events they host.

“The (Columbian) Club puts on the event and the Squirettes partner with them. It’s a girls youth group aged 10 to 18 and their focus is service to the community,” explained Belanger.

Many of the members were very busy helping serve the delicious hot breakfast while others worked the craft and games activities and helped good girls and boys pen letters to Santa.

Isabelle De Zorzi has been a Squirette for about three years and she was lending a hand to seven-year-old Bruce Croft making some ornaments.

Asked what he wants for Christmas, Croft said, “I want a remote-controlled Gecko that climbs up the wall.”

Beth Mathews joins her family every year at the Breakfast with Santa and brought her sons, Bauer, 4, and his younger brother two-year-old Ford. Wearing matching outfits they sat still with Santa.

Four-year-old Bauer Mathews (left) and his two-year-old brother Ford got to meet Santa Claus.

One of the games on Sunday was pin the carrot nose on the snow man but before anyone could take part in the activities they were given an elf name. That was determined by the person’s initial of their first name along with their date of birth.

Snowflake O’Blizzard was one of the characters on hand and one of Santa’s elves who helped out was known throughout the morning as Buddy Candy Cane.

Next up for the Squirettes and the Columbian Club in McGregor is Christmas Turkey Dinner Sunday, Dec. 21 from 3-6:30 p.m. It’s a free meal but donations are accepted. Those that want to book to attend can contact Rose Renaud at 519-919-5318.

Belanger said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, they served close to 1,000 meals that day and expects at least 750 this year.

“People are very generous and the Knights of Columbus sponsors that event.”

Breakfast with Santa well attended in McGregor

By Fred Groves