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In Bethel Park, it’s Breakfast With Santa On the Go!

By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 2 min read
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Harry Funk/The Almanac

An eminently recognizable masked man waves to occupants of a vehicle during Breakfast With Santa On the Go!

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Dressed for the occasion are volunteers Sydney Litzenberger, left, and Susie Dolinar, and even Susie’s pet, Neeko.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Ben Oakes and his mother, Amanda, check out the doings at Simmons Park for Breakfast With Santa On the Go!

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Teigen Johnston's face lights up at the sight of Santa Claus.

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Volunteers for the event pictured with Santa Claus are, from left, are Joe Consolmagno, John Oakes, Bill Haberthur, Susie Dolinar, Sydney Litzenberger and Tim Moury.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Jameson Kulbacki catches sight of Santa Claus.

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The Grinch – er, Tim Moury – gives a friendly wave, obviously after his heart grew three sizes that day.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Bill Haberthur offers a bag of goodies to a guest during Breakfast With Santa On the Go!

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Santa Claus brought along lumps of coal from the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center, but he had no need to give any to children during Breakfast With Santa On the Go!

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Welcome to Simmons Park and Breakfast With Santa On the Go!

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Valerie and Connor Marinacci, with dad Brandon in the background, pull up in the family vehicle to see Santa Claus.

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Ben Oakes, meet Santa Claus. Ben's father, John, is on the Bethel Park Historical Society Executive Board and volunteered for the event, dressed as an elf.

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Jack Kulbacki acknowledges the camera.

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Susie Dolinar, left, and Lisa Jenkins take a break on the Simmons Park playground.

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Bethel Park Council members Joe Consolmagno, left, and Tim Moury greet visitors.

These days, even Santa Claus is taking no chances, as he explains to people who ask why he’s wearing a mask.

“Hey, I’m 900 years old,” said the venerable Mr. Claus, or at least the man portraying him, recently.

Santa served as the focal point for the Breakfast With Santa On the Go! event organized by Bethel Park Historical Society, with the help of several sponsors in the community.

On the morning of Dec. 12, vehicles lined up early so that youngsters could remain safely inside while greeting jolly ol’ St. Nick, giving him letters personally instead of sending them to the North Pole.

“Look at how excited the kids are,” historical society board member Lisa Jenkins said, displaying quite a bit of excitement, herself.

She was dressed for the occasion as a reindeer, and other event volunteers also suited up in holiday costumes. Appropriately enough for the year of COVID-19, Tim Moury, the society’s president, and treasurer Susie Dolinar both appeared as the perennial Dr. Seuss favorite The Grinch.

Secretary Bill Haberthur, the tallest of the day’s volunteers, was an elf.

“This is our fourth annual Breakfast With Santa, and obviously because of the pandemic, we had to do things a little differently,” he said about the change in format and departure from the usual venue, the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center on South Park Road.

“We were fortunate in that Joe Consolmagno and Schneider’s Dairy donated the breakfast, and our good friend Kim McKinney at South Park Shops coordinated to do the little treat bags,” Haberthur said, referencing the shopping center’s property manager. “Moe’s Southwest Grill gave $5 gift coupons so that the kids could actually have lunch, also. And then Panera put in a large cookie for us.

“It’s the community coming together, rallying to support people in a time of need during the pandemic.”

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