Santa rides the rails to visit area children

John Kelleher Havre Daily News [email protected]

The temperature was below zero, and there was a brisk wind. For most of the crowd, that didn't matter. All eyes were on the train arriving at the Havre depot from the west. “I'm here to see Santa,” said 4-year-old Matthew Greytak. And why is his sister, Denna, 3, out in the cold. She just shivered beneath the hood on her jacket. “Because mommy said I have to,” laughed her mother, Tami, putting words in her daughter's mouth. As the train arrived, excitement prevailed. Santa came off the train, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Claus. Santa rushed into the awaiting crowd, wishing everyone a merry Christmas. Kids rushed up to touch their hero. But all were in a hurry to get inside the depot where the kids could tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and get warm. Angelina Swick, 6, wanted a stuffed Teddy bear. Jayla Jimison, 3, wanted a dolly. Andrew Strandaert wanted a train. Fouryear- old Olivia Anderson told Santa she wished for a Barbie doll. What did 3-year-old Liam Crum want? “A baby sister,” he told Santa. Can he have one? “He will have to wait until April,” interjected his mother.