Santa Reads To Kids At Whistle Stop In St. Clair Shores

Polar Express Still Delights Youngsters

Santa Claus made a special stop in St. Clair Shores on Saturday parking his sleigh and taking time to read to a group of children at Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy, Inc.

Santa sat in a special chair at the front of the store and read Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express to a group of attentive young listeners. Parents and children alike seemed to enjoy hearing the holiday tale read out loud on a chilly morning.

“I thought having Santa read to the children would create more intimacy and would help really set the holiday mood,” said store manager Julie Everitt. “I just think it makes it more magical.”

Each child received a small bell from Santa to reinforce the Polar Express message to believe in the spirit of the holiday. In the children’s Christmas classic, a boy rides a train to the North Pole and meets Santa Claus, who gives him a bell from a reindeer harness. The bell can only be heard by those who believe.

Photo Credit Susan Smiley

Santa Claus reads Polar Express to a group of children at Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy, Inc. in St. Clair Shores Dec. 10.

Whistle Stop also partnered with Wally’s Frozen Custard, which is located a few blocks north of the Whistle Stop on Harper Avenue, so that each child could receive a $2 token to be used for a post-Santa treat.

“I was thinking the kids could go and get a hot chocolate, but they can use it for whatever treat they want,” said Everitt.

Of course with less than two weeks until Christmas Even when old Kris Kringle traditionally flies through the night with his team of reindeer, the children were very interested in letting their Christmas wishes be known.

“After the story, children will be able to talk to Santa and we also have a table set up in the back of the store where they can make their Christmas list or write a letter to Santa,” said Everitt.

By: Susan Smiley