By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Some kids charge right up to Santa Claus and blurt out a long list of Christmas wishes.
Five-year-old Aria Swartz was not one of those kids. It took an awful lot of coaxing to get her to trust the jolly old man with her dearest wish.
“I want a pony that I can sleep with,” she whispered.
But this was no ordinary mall Santa. This Santa set up a satellite shop just outside Bowling Green last weekend. He listened to children’s wishes as busy elves hammered in the loft above. He allowed children to add their names to the “naughty” or the “nice” scrolls.
List of nice children for Santa
Children decorated ornaments to hang on their Christmas trees, they drank hot chocolate and ate cookies.
“I need to hear more hammering up there,” Santa shouted to the elves working on last minute toys.
Those children unable to make it to Santa’s workshop sent letters. They asked for a teddy bear, a scooter, a jungle gym and a computer.
One child thought ahead about Santa’s long night of gift deliveries and promised to leave cookies. “Please say ‘hi’ to Rudolph for me,” another child wrote.
The North Pole annex was created by the family of Gary and Judy Kellermeier, who decided to revisit a tradition they started more than 20 years ago. The family turned their home into Santa’s workshop each Christmas season while their children were young enough to play the roles of little elves.
This year, the family decided to recreate the workshop at their daughter’s home on Green Road, west of Bowling Green. An old horse stable was transformed into a room for Santa and Mrs. Claus. The workshop was converted into a space for making toys for all boys and girls – naughty or nice.
Elves work in Santa’s workshop
Nearly 15 elves were on hand to help with crafts, take pictures, and perform other elf-like tasks. There toys to paint, sequins to glue onto ornaments, music to play, stockings to hang and presents to wrap.
“We have a pretty big family and so we switch out as we get cold,” Katelyn Smith said of her family working weekend shifts inside and outside the workshop. More than 100 children stopped by each day for the holiday magic.
“It’s just to spread the Christmas cheer,” said Gary Kellermeier, the first generation of Santa’s workshop staff. “We just love it. I love to see kids happy.”
And now the third generation is getting its chance to share the joy.
“It’s the next generation of elves,” Gary said. “Santa needs lots of help.”
Elves work in the loft
Judy Kellermeier said the tradition was revived during a trip down memory lane to the North Pole. “Our kids were reminiscing” about working in Santa’s workshop before they got too busy. They decided it would be good to recreate the magic. “The grandkids need a chance to be elves.”
As for Santa, he was busy getting the standard wishes logged by children on their best behavior. They rattled off requests for games, action figures, stuffed animals and the like.
“Some are shy, but they just have to get comfortable,” said Santa, who also goes by the name of Steve Jenkins the rest of the year.
As for Aria and her request for a pony …
