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Santa’s Winter Barn
By Sean Barron
CANFIELD
A big smile crossed Jon Alexander’s face as he explained how two major unions display the Christmas spirit and community-mindedness by brightening others’ holiday.
The description closely paralleled what he sees as the inherent nature of most people – not to mention the true meaning of what the holidays should stand for.
“We believe as a union in the community,” said the Cornersburg man, who works for the General Motors Lordstown complex and assisted United Auto Workers Locals 1112 and 1714 with distributing food and meals to families in need shortly before Thanksgiving.
“We’re a community with good people, and we should see not just the commercial end of [the holidays].”
Giving back to those less fortunate may have been on Alexander’s mind, but so was feasting on a taste of family-oriented fun, something he and his family did while at Sunday afternoon’s annual Santa’s Winter Barn at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road (state Route 46).
The free, three-hour family-friendly gathering in an unheated barn introduced a large crowd of all ages to several traditional and unusual farm animals, as well as an early visit from Santa Claus.
Specifically, people were treated to a baby alpaca, a miniature sheep, a camel, a reindeer and a miniature cow, along with sheep, goats and rabbits, noted Brenda Markley, the MetroParks’ agriculture and education manager.
The event also featured plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low 40s, which likely contributed to encouraging large groups that included many people from out of town to attend, Markley pointed out.
Accompanying Alexander were his girlfriend, Kaylee Jackintell; son Elliott, 3; and daughter, Alaina, 7, whose holiday to-do list also includes seeing the large Christmas tree in downtown Youngstown’s Central Square, attending the Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill funfest and viewing a large light display in Firestone Park in Columbiana, he continued.
Jackintell, a financial analyst for Snap-on in Richfield, said giving back to the community also is an integral part of her company’s outreach efforts. Those include being part of the local United Way campaign, assisting veterans and raising money for disaster-relief projects, she noted.
Snap-on is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of tools and equipment for the transportation industry.
“It’s Jesus’ birthday, and you get presents,” Alaina, a Victory Christian School second-grader, said when asked about her favorite aspects of Christmas.
In addition, this Christmas might be as warm as it is special for Alaina, because she is looking forward to going with her family to Fort Myers, Fla., to visit her grandparents, she continued.
Of course, Santa Claus took center stage, as a line of eager youngsters and their families snaked out the barn door to see St. Nick in his sleigh. Many excited children enjoyed one-on-one time with Santa as their parents snapped pictures.
The animals also drew lots of attention from attendees, such as brothers Sam and Caden Brown of Boardman, who came with their mother, Shannon Brown, and her boyfriend, Aaron Hellam of Marysville, Ohio.
“The boys love animals, and it never hurts to see Santa early,” Brown said, adding the family intends to leave reindeer cookies for Santa Claus’ visit to their home on Christmas.
“I like the reindeer,” added Caden, 8, a Stadium Drive Elementary School third-grader, who listed a polar bear as his favorite animal.
While many people gathered to admire the animals, others such as 2-year-old Alana Fouse of Canfield took the next step by feeding the camel. The gathering truly was family-oriented for Alana, who came with her 6-month-old brother, Luke, and parents Derrick and Kira Fouse.
Many children derived further enjoyment from designing and taking home Christmas-themed crafts. Among them were siblings Dante Woolley and his 6-year-old sister, Zaria Woolley of Canfield, both of whom made Santa Claus and snowman decorations as their parents, Tom and Theresa Woolley, looked on.
Also getting in on the creative fun were Dante and Zaria’s cousins, Mason and Makenzie Milinski, 8 and 9, respectively, who traveled from their Jefferson home.
For the Woolley family, Santa’s Winter Barn was merely the first stop on their early-Christmas journey. Their next destination was Lanterman’s Mill, Tom said with glee.