Dick reports...Children's Christmas

Santa at the Hansa Haus

This annual event was probably the last great event for the year gone by for the children of the Hansa community.

As expected, it was one of the most colourful happenings for the members, their children and grandchildren.

The Hansa Choir with Dieter Wütherich as conductor, organist

It all started with a series of Christmas carols with lots of tots spread out on the floor listening. Dieter Wuetherich, the director, even had one of the youngsters upfront directing the Hansa Choir, Brampton. I bet that is something the young lad will remember for quite a while.

A small crowd gathers...	...as a young conductor steps into Dieter Wütherich's footsteps

As usual many of the kids, with an artistic flair, were busying themselves with all sorts of crafts, some of the older ones helping the younger novices. I recognized some of them from the years past and was amazed at the change only one year had made.

Children with artistic flair
	T

Some of them wore red Santa hats and I only knew who they were when I recognized their parents or grandparents. Needless to mention that it was a full house again.

Children and their families

The tables were seasonally decorated and Christmas cake (Stollen) and home-baked cookies were provided, as well as coffee or tea to help wash them down.

...and the children have gathered
Excitement & expectations	Will he call my name soon?

Suddenly – while the choir was still on stage – Ho, Ho, Ho – Santa arrived. This caused a great scramble since the choir and all the connected paraphernalia, including the keyboard, had to be cleared away.

But Santa - who explained that he had a tailwind - took a few turns around the hall before settling down on his throne, with his chief elf by his side, followed by helpers with carloads of presents. All of the youngsters were sitting on the floor in front of the stage waiting for their name to be called.

Santa and his bag of goodies

Some of the children seemed a little apprehensive – especially when it was their first time with Santa, but all in all it was a successful experience for most of the over 30 children that were called up to receive a gift and a bag of goodies provided by the Hansa Club.

For most of them it was the greatest thing to happen to them before the actual Christmas morning. The gifts were immediately opened and – when possible – played with immediately.

Enjoying the gifts

Well, that is what the club is all about. It is like an extended family – for some of them unfortunately the only one left, especially for single people.

As always and wishing
a Happy New Year

Dick Altermann