Wednesday, December 4, 2024
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Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . 2➤ Shop North Webster . . . . . 6-7 ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas . . . 9-11 Vol. 54, No. 24
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21 days to go —
Children countdown to Christmas
Text and Photos By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer With Christmas just a short three weeks away, area children are buzzing in excitement for a visit with their family, friends and their favorite jolly man, Santa Claus. Little girls and boys across the county, state, country and world have been on their best behavior to ensure a visit from Santa. Syracuse Elementary School fourth grader Austen Bess is sure he made this year’s nice list because he was recently very supportive when his little brother, Matthew, hurt his finger. “I think Santa was glad to see that I was there to help my brother,” Bess said. “But I was glad to help my brother because he is my brother.” Bess wakes up his brother and dad, Warren, as soon as he wakes up on Christmas morning, which is usually around 7:30 a.m. “Sometimes we leave cookies out for Santa,” Bess explained. “But sometimes we don’t because we don’t want to give him a tummy ache.” Once the house is awake, presents are opened and memories are made. This year, Bess is hoping Santa brings him a Minecraft Lego set. “That is just one set of Legos that I would like,” Bess mentioned. “But I love doing Legos, so really any set would be fun to build.” After presents are opened, it is time for Bess’ favorite Christmas tradition: napping with his dad, Warren. “Because we wake up early, we are usually tired in the afternoon,” Bess said. “I love napping with my dad, he
is very comfy.” Milford Elementary School fifth grader Rosemary Miller believes she made the nice list because she has helped her younger sister, Evelyn, with her homework. “I am so excited for Christmas,” Miller stated. One of her favorite Christmas traditions is when her family puts up the Christmas tree, they snack on an orange chocolate treat. “It’s really yummy!” Miller emphasized. Her other favorite traditions include leaving cookies out for Santa. Her favorite cookie to leave out is a vanilla cookie with sprinkles, which just so happens to be Miller’s favorite Christmas cookie. “I like to give and receive gifts because it is nice to give and it is nice to get,” Miller mentioned. “My favorite person to give a gift to is my sister.” Harrison Elementary School third grader Reece Herring landed himself on Santa’s nice list because he was nice to his older brother, Brooks. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” Herring said. Herring has some big wishes for Santa this year: a German shepherd-husky puppy, a kitten and a baby sister. Herring currently has two cats: Cookie Monster and Oreo. “I really want a baby sister,” Herring said. Herring loves to go play in the snow. He and his dad, Scott, like to go outside and have snowball fights together. Herring looks forward to Christmas to give presents to his family. “I love giving gifts to my family,” Herring said.
THE NICE LIST — Syracuse Elementary School fourth grader Austen Bess knows he made Santa’s nice list again this year because he was very supportive and helpful to his little brother, Matthew, when he hurt his finger.
Lincoln Elementary School second grader Aurora Everett ensured her spot on the nice list because she was very nice this year to her younger brother, Zander, and did not fight with him. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” Everett said. “Because Santa comes and brings us presents.” She and Zander love to go out in the snow and play. Her big Christmas wish is for “Jesus to have a great birthday.” “Santa’s favorite cookie is a chocolate chip cookie,” Everett mentioned. “Like me.” Everett reported Santa consistently ate every bite of the cookies she and Zander leave for him. “Christmas is my favorite holiday. Well, one of them. Because Santa brings me presents, but only if you’re good!” Washington Elementary School kindergartner Jacob Yocum explained. “Good kids get presents and bad kids get coal.” Luckily, there is no coal in Yocum’s future because he has cemented himself on Santa’s nice list another year because he is very helpful without needing to be asked. “I love helping my parents,” Yocum stated. “And the ‘Star Leader’ helps my teacher.” Yocum has his fingers crossed Santa brings him a stuffed-horse plushy. He loves to leave Santa cookies and milk. He believes Santa’s favorite cookie is an M&M cookie, which is also Yocum’s favorite cookie. With as well-behaved local children have been this year, there is absolutely no doubt Santa Claus will be making stops in Kosciusko County again this year.
SANTA’S FAVORITE COOKIE — Milford Elementary School fifth grader Rosemary Miller thinks about what Santa’s favorite cookie could be. She decided vanilla cookie with sprinkles, which just so happens to be her favorite cookie.
BABY SISTER OR A PUPPY — Harrison Elementary School third grader Reece Herring knew exactly what topped his Christmas wish list this year: a baby sister or a German shepherd-husky puppy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS — Although Lincoln Elementary School second grader Aurora Everett had wishes of her own, including a new Barbie. Her biggest Christmas wish is for Jesus to have a happy birthday.
NAUGHTY OR NICE — Washington Elementary kindergartner knows the difference between ending up on the Naughty List versus being on the Nice List. “Good kids get presents and bad kids get coal!” He explained. Yocum has always made the Nice List.