Flaco Guapo Media
Story/ photos by permission from Conexión San Ángelo
SAN ANGELO – “Oh, the weather outside is frightful” “But the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,” Christmas carol sung by, Bing Crosby.
While Friday night’s December 7th local weather forecast had continuous freezing rain on target, it didn’t deter hundreds of parents with their wide-eyed children who had somewhere to go—the eighth annual, “Santa, pancakes and ewe.” The hundreds of gleeful, joyous children who stood in long lines with their parents were there to see one person only—the man with the red suit, white beard and Christmas “Ho, Ho” jolly spirit—Santa.
This ASU traditional type of kid’s “Christmas Winter Wonderland” extravaganza which began eight years ago with just 100, has rapidly grown to where it has spilled over with tremendous numbers overrunning the LeGrand Alumni Visitors Center, evidenced by conservative estimated figures of 650 families with their children coming to see “Old Saint Nick” last year alone!
Kimberly Adams, Director of the ASU Alumni Association who is also in her eighth year being in charge of this holiday event was interviewed. “This is one of my favorite events each year because we see families come together,” said Adams.
When Kimberly told her 11-year-old, son, Austin, they were coming he was so excited. Austin, a Glenn Middle school student always looks forward every year to writing his own, private letter to Santa that he won’t even share with his mom.
Adams mentioned that there were crafts offered for kids sponsored by Sam’s Club and the ASU Alumni Association, a coloring contest, making Santa face out of paper plates, making candy canes out of beads to place as ornaments on the Christmas tree, etc.
As for how “Santa, pancakes and ewe”, came into play, Kimberly said that the last word-- ewe, was a play on words relating to ASU’s mascot, Dominic. Dominic and his female counterpart were also big celebrity stars with the Ram family.
To prepare for this early 5:30 p.m. huge undertaking, Adams had her three-member staff, along with 30 other volunteers from Goodfellow Air Force Base personnel, board of directors from the Alumni, ASU Honors Association and Ram Ambassadors.
Donations from the event will go to the Ram Family Student Endowment, a fund established to provide scholarships for Angelo State students.