It’s been more than thirty years since Eustis Police Chief Jesse Burrows first donned a certain red costume and delighted local children with a visit from their favorite Christmas character.
In 2010, the tradition continues at the Eustis Historical Museum, which hosts “Cookies with Santa” on Saturday, December 18th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
“No one knows how hard it was to talk Chief Burrows into putting on that outfit,” says Betty Ann McClellan, who worked for Burrows in the late 1970’s and now organizes the event for the museum. “But it was a real treat for the kids in town and so we’ve continued it.”
While Eustis’ current Police Chief, Fred Cobb, will not be following in his predecessor’s footsteps, this year’s Santa, a rotund Mr. Jim Gillies, one of the Museum’s trustees, is expected to ably fill the role .
Visitors to the museum will have ample time to chat with Santa, take photos and enjoy a cookie with the “jolly old elf,” who won’t begin his holiday work schedule until the following weekend.
For the museum staff and volunteers, the event reminds them of simpler times when holidays were less commercialized.
“I like our ‘Cookie with Santa’ because there’s not a rush to plow through a long line,” says Museum President Tim Totten. “At the mall, Santa is ‘on the clock’ and has to see a lot of kids. But here, in our old house, there’s more of a family atmosphere.”
In addition, the event retains one of the most attractive features of the original: it’s completely free.
“We give each child a cookie and one-on-one time with Santa,” says McClellan. “It’s the museum’s way of saying ‘Merry Christmas’ and sharing with all the children in our community.”
For more information, please call the museum at (352) 483-0046.
The Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society is, located at 536 North Bay Street.
