Santa Claus comes to Mundelein
Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule Sunday to visit the Mundelein Park District’s Regent Center.
More than 50 adults and children turned out for the “Mingle with Kringle” event, aimed at children ages eight and under.
“We offer a little bit more of an intimate setting for children to chat with Santa, parents to take pictures, without the mall setting,” said Nora T’Niemi, a recreation assistant with the park district.
An otherwise utilitarian room of white ceiling components, fluorescent lighting and linoleum tile was converted into a festive place with holiday tablecloths and hanging cutouts of snowmen.
One of the parents attending, Dave Loya of Mundelein, seemed confident Santa would deliver the items on his son Caden’s wish list, including a Wii video game.
“He didn’t ask for too much this time, only four or five things,” Loya said. “(Daughter Hailey) asked for everything on the face of the earth, so she’ll probably be slightly disappointed.”
Before Santa arrived, the children sat and crafted some ornaments and enjoyed juice and snacks.
When Santa arrived with a hearty “Ho, ho, ho!” he read “The Night Before Christmas” for the children.
When he read the line, “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there,” one of the children blurted out, “You!”
Miti Mehta of Mundelein said her 4-year-old son, Arjav, has been working on his gift wish list for a while.
“We’ll see if he has been naughty or nice. We’ll see how Santa feels about him,” she said. “He says he has been nice, but I’m Santa sure is keeping score.”
Arjav especially wanted a dinosaur train.
“I’ve been nice,” he said.