SHORTWAVE TO SANTA
The room was full of children in wide-eyed anticipation of Christmas. Saturday, November 25th, kids from all over Moose Jaw and area had a chance to come to the Western Development Museum and have their annual Breakfast with Mrs. Claus to kick off the morning’s activities. Mrs. Claus, Santa’s right-hand gal, took the day off and came all the way from the North Pole to lavish her time on each and every child who came by to have their photo taken and chat with Mrs. Claus. The Mrs. was as plump and jolly as old Santa himself. “Santa’s been busy in his workshop,” she said. “I’m busy making cookies.” She told the Express that the Moose Jaw children were very polite and like books and on Christmas Eve when Santa is out making his deliveries around the world, Mrs. Claus said she was going to “put her feet up and relax;” a very well-deserved rest. This magical day, hosted by the Moose Jaw Western Development Museum was bursting with kids all over awaiting their opportunities to speak to Santa direct at the North Pole, via short-wave radio. MJ Amateur Radio Club was on location set up to provide this exciting exchange. In fact, a number of times Santa had to check his ‘naughty’ list to make sure some of kids weren’t on it. Barry Mackenzie, President of the Radio Club says they have been doing this for at least the last five years of so and it brings a lot of joy to the children to speak to Santa live.
As well, a number of children decided they preferred to write a letter to Santa with their requests, stamp the envelopes and post them right there at the WDM. The Girl Guides were also on hand to provide a Bake Sale where individuals could satisfy their sweet tooth.
Not only was there a breakfast with Mrs. Claus and a few minutes to speak to the big guy himself, the Western Development Museum provided a Kid’s Secret Shopping experience where children 10 and under could do their Christmas shopping for everyone on their list with a little help from the friendly elves. No parents allowed. All the gifts available for purchase were $15 or less and by the look of things, the selection was in very-good taste. Children could leave with their gifts wrapped and ready for Christmas morning.
Shirley Stenko, Operations Manager, says that last year the attendance was around 200 little shoppers and they were hoping to extend that number this year. This WDM event has been going on for over 11 years and one of the longest events that the museum offers. Shirley says that all the items for sale in the Secret Shopping location are items that are for sale regularly in the gift store at the WDM.