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Families celebrate unity in the community during Whoville-themed event

By Staff | Nov 30, 2018

Almost three-month-old Sawyer Haynes sits on Santa Claus' lap for the first time, during the Who-liday celebration at the Shepherdstown Community Club on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston.

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Almost three-month-old Sawyer Haynes looked up at Santa Claus with a look of curiosity, before his mother reclaimed him from being held by the jolly old man. The moment was Haynes’ first experience meeting Santa Claus, and his mother, Rebecca Drewry, was glad it happened in Shepherdstown during the Shepherstown Community Club’s Who-liday Celebration on Saturday afternoon.

The free event — sponsored by local businesses and the SCC — featured two magic shows, face painting hot cocoa and cookies. And, of course, Santa Claus.

“I wanted him to meet Santa, and I wanted him to meet him in Shepherdstown, because this is where he was born, and this is where he will be raised,” Drewry said of her son, mentioning she and Haynes” dad both grew up in Shepherdstown, which they view as an invaluable experience. “Shepherdstown is such a loving community.”

For Santa Claus, hearing the children’s Christmas lists was only one of the things he said he appreciated about the annual event.

“I’ve been Santa for a million years. The magic show, the other entertainment they have for the kids, are wonderful,” Santa Claus said.

Santa Claus was also busy in Shepherdstown the evening before the Who-liday Celebration, during the town tree-lighting ceremony. But he wasn’t the only one who was enjoying all of Shepherdstown’s holiday events over the weekend.

“We were here last night for all the events in town,” said Kerri Namolik, of Shepherdstown. “We always come to story time at the library, and then come here. We’ve been doing this event for three or four years.

“Shepherdstown is a unique place. I’m not from here, and I don’t think there are many places that have so many events for kids,” Namolik said. “It’s really great, to be able to get out and do fun things with them.”

According to SCC member and event coordinator Judy Shepherd, the event is a way for Shepherdstown’s businesses to thank the community for their support throughout the year.

“We have this every year, the Shepherdstown Community Club opens the doors for this, and it’s the Shepherdstown businesses thanking the community for all their support on Small Business Saturday,” Shepherd said. “Shepherdstown’s a really unique place, and we have a big sense of community. We like to celebrate the season together.”