Capacity crowd enjoys Breakfast With Santa in Bethel Park
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Jim Modery points out details of his model railroad display to Cole Kaufman and Myla Morgan during Breakfast With Santa at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center in Bethel Park.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Brenda Cline and granddaughter Brynn Geary are all smiles during Breakfast With Santa.
Santa Claus greets young Jameson Schwartz and his mother, Brynnly.
Brayden Warnoch and Will Spinnenweber have their picture taken with Santa Claus.
Beau Arbaugh with his mother, Zoe
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus give a friendly greeting.
The sale of souvenir lumps of coal from the basement benefits the renovation of the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center.
Cole Kaufman checks out the model railroad display set up during Breakfast With Santa.
Hunter Stevens gets ready to color a picture prior to breakfast being served.
Jim Modery makes sure his model railroad display is running smoothly.
Julie Herder, Mason Gosnell and Danielle Gosnell get ready to enjoy Breakfast With Santa.
Malea Bode, a student at Peters Township Middle School, helped the proceedings by taking photos of children in attendance.
Mrs. Claus says hello.
Santa says hello.
Shawn and Teddy Arbaugh get ready for Breakfast With Santa.
Wyatt Stevens gets ready for Breakfast With Santa.
The capacity crowd at Saturday’s Breakfast With Santa had Brenda Cline smiling all morning.
“I think it’s a great day,” she said, as sunlight streamed through the windows to enlighten the proceedings at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center. “Everybody has pulled together. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are phenomenal.”
She was the primary organizer for the event, hosted for the first time by the Bethel Park Historical Society and giving visitors an opportunity to see the group’s progress in renovating the century-plus-old building on South Park Road.
Word spread quickly about the breakfast when it was announced in the fall.
“We started in October, and we sold out by Nov. 11,” Cline reported.
Food for the 100 people in attendance was donated by Vic Fortunato & Co. of Mt. Oliver.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Mrs. Claus reads to Mathilde White, left, and Emma McGinnis.
Besides a hearty breakfasts and visits with Santa, youngsters were able to see an HO-scale model railroad set up by Jim Modery, along with hearing stories told by Mrs. Claus and participating in other holiday-themed activities.
To help continue the renovation efforts, the historical society is selling lumps of coal that have been in the basement of the arts and history center since it served as Bethel Park High School. Also for sale are engraved pavers for the governor’s drive being restored along the front of the building.
The second annual Funny Fundraiser, benefiting the historical society and Bethel Park recreation, is schedule for Jan. 27 at the Bethel Park Community Center. Featured are comedians Joe Bronzi, Ethan Herschenfeld and David Kaye.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BethelParkHistoricalSociety.