Santa relaxed at Breakheart’s Visitor’s Center on a large fireside sofa

By Laura Eisener

The Christopher O. Dunne Visitor’s Center at Breakheart Reservation was a cozy and festive location for Santa’s Visit last Sunday. It’s hard to imagine a cozier atmosphere than the log-walled Visitor’s Center surrounded by the winter woods. Not only did visitors get a chance to talk to Santa and some of his elves, but they could enjoy free candy canes, cookies and other treats, and kids could make a holiday decoration craft – with all supplies provided – in the craft room.

A fire roared in the fireplace; a decorated tree stood in another corner, and greenery was all around to set the holiday mood. Santa relaxed on a large sofa in front of the fire, with room for the whole family to gather around at once, as many did. Many volunteers from the Friends of Breakheart Reservation were on hand to help with the crafting, serve refreshments and use their talents to encourage the babies to smile!

Despite the coating of snow that covered the woods the evening before, by 11 a.m. most of it had been melted by the sunshine except for some ice rink shavings in front of the skating rink, which served as a reminder that it is winter after all.

Many families arrived in festive attire to get their pictures taken with Santa. Even a few dogs got the opportunity to chat with the big man himself. Many happy memories must have been made at this event.