The Polar Express rolls into Breakfast with Santa

            The beloved children’s Christmas book, The Polar Express, rolled into Sigourney Public Library on Saturday for their eighth annual Breakfast with Santa, bringing along crafts, treats, wonderful stories, and jolly old Saint Nick.

            Families and children walking into the library were greeted by the friendly Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen” closely by the door, making sure not to melt for the little boys and girls that wanted a picture with him. From there, children were guided along a meticulously laid tape railroad track to several fun destinations. In the main lobby, kids could write their own letters to Santa to be sent straight up to North Pole. Better yet, kids could tell the man himself as he met with all the good children.

            What awaited families next was new to the annual event this year. Nestled in the corner to the library was a friendly conductor and his helpers, reading “The Polar Express” to children as they took them on an Christmas adventure. Of course, each little one had to have a ticket to hop onboard for the fun.

            This exciting new theme was brought to life by the work of Library Director Amanda Rostami, her staff fully dressed in holiday attire and friendly volunteers. While the idea was planted in Rostami’s head awhile back, the Polar Express came alive with the help of high school students from the Sigourney UMC youth group.

            “We wanted to do a Christmas theme everyone would know, so we did The Polar Express this year,” Rostami said. “Then we thought who better to man it than the high school students helping us out.”

            Dressed in a black suit and conductor hat firmly placed on his head, Casey Jarmes joined Bailey Redlinger, Khloe Snakenberg and Natalie Redlinger as they read the classic Christmas story to children as they made their way through the library. Some sat down to listen as the students handed out train tickets and stood for photos.

“It’s really nice to do something like this because I like helping with kids,” Jarmes said. “I’ve seen how some of their faces lit up as the listened to us read. They loved it.”

Please view the December 13 edition of The News-Review for the full story.