A year ago, Santa Claus made an appearance at the Tri-City Elks on West Shore Road but his visit was unfortunately restricted, as children could only wave to Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick -- who stood inside a protected canopy covering -- from their parent’s vehicles due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Sunday, though, Santa Claus was live and in living color inside Lodge 14’s downstairs dining room, which was adorned with colorful decorations that ranged from wreaths to tiny Christmas tree centerpieces on a host of round tables that were topped with red and green coverings.

It was, as people suggested, an impressive winter wonderland that resembled Santa’s North Pole workshop featuring colorful gifts, bicycles and scooters

The event, which was entitled “Lunch with Santa”, that included a number of features from children placing their hand-written letters to Jolly Old Saint Nick into a special mailbox to enjoying hot dogs, French fries, chicken nuggets, potato chips, juice boxes and bottles of water and even decorating cookies that were made and baked by the ever-creative Kathy Cesaro.

“What difference year makes,” was one of many comments from proud parents who were wearing wide smiles on their faces during the event which was yet another example of Elks caring and sharing to make children happy.

Perhaps John Spencer said it best about the lively fun-and-food fest “this is a real good time; the Elks went all out for the children.”

Leading the way, as she did a year ago with the drive-by event, was Lori Amoroso, who was supported by 21 Elks who served the lunch, helped Santa with handing out the presents and in some cases helped parents with their tiny tots.

In the middle of it all, of course, was Santa Claus – a.k.a. Lodge 14’s Loyal Knight Michael Donahue – who was greeted by chants of “Santa … Santa” by the excited children as soon as he entered the room.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Deb Mangina, Tri-City’s highly-respected Exalted Ruler who like other Elks Elves were decked out in special holiday aprons. “I absolutely love this event; it has been a tradition here for years and puts a special kind of warmth and spirit into the season.”

Tri-city’s 2021 “Lunch with Santa” also had many moving moments, one coming from Carol DeLory who read ‘Twas the Night before Christmas to the children who sat in front of Santa Claus.

“There’s a great feeling here today,” offered Sue Hartington, as she held her granddaughter Devon Ashness, 4, who gramma proudly noted “will turn five on Christmas Eve as her daughter and son-in-law looked on. “This is truly fantastic family event.”

Two family members, the brothers Martel in particular, also shared the day’s spotlight.

Dennis “Goober” Martel, who serves as Tri-City’s House Committee Chairman, once again showed his kitchen skills by preparing the lunch while Bruce Martel – one of Lodge 14’s valuable volunteers – purchased a boys and girls bicycle that headline the kid’s raffle.

Meanwhile, Lodge’s 14 generous membership continued its special caring for children and added two Razor scooters to the day’s raffle that like Lunch with Santa was a special success thanks to Elks Elves Michaela Jencks, Julie Brunelle, Matt Wellington, Cheryl Rebello, Mary Gagliardi, Kelley Stenmark, Donna Breese, Tania Starkevich, Caitlin Doonan, Austin Jourdain, Donna Beauregard, Sharon Gobin, Beth Marsh, Dawn Kidd and Jim Rebello.