Houlton Southside School celebrates breakfast with Santa

1 year ago

HOULTON, Maine – Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day — even Santa Claus.

Houlton Southside School welcomed Jolly Ole St. Nicholas Saturday morning for an opportunity to have children dine with Santa. Volunteers from Houlton Southside’s kitchen helped prepare the bountiful spread, which included freshly baked pancakes, sausages, glazed doughnuts, doughnut balls and fresh fruit.

A fundraiser for the Houlton Southside Parent-Teacher Organization, the meal on Saturday marked the first time in several years that the community was welcomed into the school for breakfast.

Katie Mania and Katie Hafford organized the event for the PTO. In previous years, the event was a fundraiser for the After School Program. The cafeteria at the school was festively decorated with tablecloths made to resemble Santa’s coat, a Christmas tree, Letter to Santa station and holiday music playing throughout the room.

“We are so excited to have this event back this year,” Mania said. “It has been at least before COVID that we have been able to do this. We are excited to see everyone and the kids will be able to write their letters to Santa or tell him in person.”

HOULTON, Maine — December 10, 2022 — A station to mail letters to Santa was one available for students at Houlton Southside School Saturday morning. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — December 10, 2022 — Glazed doughnuts, fresh fruit and other goodies were available at the Houlton Southside School Saturday morning for Breakfast with Santa. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — December 10, 2022 — Rob Smith helps make pancakes in the kitchen of Houlton Southside School Saturday morning for the Breakfast with Santa event. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — December 10, 2022 — Enjoying breakfast together are Camden Locke and Caroline Lowery at the Houlton Southside School as part of the Breakfast with Santa event. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)