TRR photo by Chris Conroy Santa is pictured with two of his visitors at the Cochecton Center Christmas party. (Click for larger image)

Wet weather doesn’t dampen holiday spirits

By CHRIS CONROY

COCHECTON CENTER, NY — The weather outside was frightful, but those who attended the annual Cochecton Center Christmas party still had a delightful time.

Organized by the Cochecton Center Community Center, the party is well known for its varied homemade cookies and desserts. It’s also a place where local children and come and meet Santa.

“We have about 75 to 100 kids come through every year,” said Sandra Daub, the event’s organizer.

With lots of help from the other members of the community center, Daub managed to make the best of the bad weather.

“We were hoping the rain would stop this morning,” said Doug Heinle. He had restored a 100-year-old sled that Santa was going to ride in on.

	TRR photo by Chris Conroy Classic decorations and a distinct feeling of family set the mood for the annual Cochecton Center Christmas party, which is well known for its tasty homemade cookies. All the left overs, as well as some specially made bread platters, are distributed to local shut-ins after the party. (Click for larger image)

The distinctly non-Christmas style rain that hit the area starting Friday night changed a number of the plans for the party. Originally, it was to take place at Heinle’s ball field with Santa sitting inside an igloo made of hay bales. After their visit with Santa, children would have been able to take a ride in the restored sled.

With the rain, the entire event was moved inside the community center. That led to a very warm and slightly cramped, though no less entertaining, celebration of the season and the community.

“This is all paid for by money raised during the summer,” Daub said.

Most of that money comes from the family fun day the community center holds. From that income, children are provided with gifts from Santa including coloring books, issues of Highlights for Children and small stuffed animals. All the desserts are donated.