by Luke Putvin | Lynnwood Times
In continuing its yearly tradition, the Lynnwood-Alderwood Manor Heritage Association (AMHA) hosted its Cookies with Santa event at Heritage Park on December 8. People cycled through for the few hours the event took place and enjoyed cookies as well as free photos with Santa.
Linda Myers, one of the volunteers at AMHA, has been involved in putting on this event since its beginning, about five years ago. “This is our biggest community outreach; we typically draw about 125 people through in three hours. It’s probably our most joyous event because it’s about kids and families.”
Myers’ favorite part about the event is the children, she said while waving to her great nephew taking a picture with Santa.
“Our mission is community outreach of the Lynnwood-Alderwood Manor Heritage, and this is one way we do it,” she said. “I hope people walk away with a sense of wonder and delight of the holiday season. In fact, it makes me emotional to think of that. I grew up in this area as a child, off of Swamp Creek, and it was a lovely area to live in. And Christmas was just the most magical.”
When asked what Christmas meant to her, Myers responded, “Family, love and new beginnings as the new year starts.”
One of the many families at the event was Joe and Ali Olson and their children Annabelle, Cassian and 11-day-year-old Caitlyn. Ali came to the event last year with Annabelle and Cassian.
“We wanted to find a good, free Santa around that doesn’t cost 50 dollars to take a photo with,” Ali said. “It’s nice to be able to chronicle everybody as they age and see the differences each year, see how we’ve grown.”
“And then just participate in a fun tradition,” Joe added. “Talking to the kids about the idea of Santa and the myths and participating in some of the milk and cookies and things.”
Christmas for the Olsons is all about family, festivities and building traditions to repeat over the year.
For more information about AMHA and their upcoming events, visit www.alderwood.org.
