With the first snow of winter falling, Winter Wonderland volunteers from St. Anselm Catholic Academy, the Academy Alumni Association, and the parish provided members of the Saint Anselm community and our Bay Ridge neighbors with the opportunity to welcome the fast approaching Christmas holiday by being part of the wonderful and joyous celebration of Winter Wonderland on the weekend of December 9th and 10th.
Games, holiday foods, and shopping filled McMahon Auditorium and Meletia Hall. In the cafeteria members of Scout Troop 13 sold hot dogs, fries, chips, cookies, sodas, and coffee, raising money to support their wonderful programs throughout the year, as well as giving busy shoppers, parents and children a moment to relax and refuel before going on to their next activity. Also in Meletia Hall “hopeful” children had an opportunity to visit with Santa after taking in the wonderful presentation of the “Living Nativity” on Saturday – the true meaning of the Christmas holiday or, on Sunday, enjoying performances by the Bay Ridge Ballet featuring music from the perennial holiday favorite: Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”.
A giant Christmas tree, set to rival the one at Rockefeller Center, was the centerpiece of McMahon Auditorium, where adults perused the craft tables, enjoying the opportunity to purchase unique, hand made items: jewelry, knit wear, delicious fruit preserves, and holiday decorations, for a family member or friend, or perhaps – themselves. Visitors tried their luck purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets and graduates of St. Anselm Catholic Academy had the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane perusing old St. Anselm yearbooks – be sure and visit the Alumni Association Facebook page. Candy Land offered popcorn, cotton candy and other treats. Youngsters played games, wrote letters to Santa, had fun with arts and crafts and discovered the mysteries of science at the Academy’s STEM booth. And, there was the door gift from Santa to delight the children!
A heartfelt “thank you” to the wonderful Winter Wonderland Committee, chaired by Jeanine Condon, as well as to the many parents of Saint Anselm Catholic Academy who gave uncountable hours, to the numerous volunteers, and the many generous parishioners for making Winter Wonderland possible. Proceeds from the weekend will assist in funding the wonderful educational programs offered by Saint Anselm Catholic Academy. For more information about the Academy and its wonderful educational opportunities, visit the SACA Facebook page or go to www.sacany.org.
All the best,
The Saint Anselm Publicity Committee