Juggling Santa
WEST CHESTER TWP. — Those in the Christmas spirit were treated to a glimpse of the holiday of yesteryear Sunday at Pioneer Christmas in Keehner Park.
People crowded into an 1833 Log Cabin in the Clearing to visit with Santa and sampled such pioneer fare as molasses cookies, venison chili, buffalo and rabbit, in addition to elk and duck salami.
Noah Smith, 8, of Liberty Twp., was adventurous, trying all the offerings, along with his brothers, Daniel, 3 and Caleb, 6.
“I tasted everything,” Noah said. “I really liked the elk salami. I did not like the buffalo.”
The younger brothers were partial to the sweets and a candy cane from Santa, who was seated by the hearth.
The boys’ mother, Tammy Smith, said they also attend nature programs at the park in the summer.
The event was founded by Mary Raffel, who died in 2009 just two days after Christmas. Raffel led the effort to save the log cabin that was previously located in Preble County, with the help of children who saved loose change.
Laura Droff, of the township parks department, was dressed in period clothing and kept the fire stoked in the cabin.
She said turnout during the first couple of hours was good with many crowding into the one-room cabin to warm up from the chilly temperatures.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lauren.pack@coxinc.com
About the Author
