Holiday Open House Brings Cheer To Many

 was recently transformed from a stuffy place of business and politics into a winter wonderland for children of all ages.

The hall was dominated by a line of balloon-wielding children leading not to town-elected officials, but one elected in their hearts as one of the most well-known symbols of the holiday season: Santa Claus himself.

Jolly old Saint Nick patiently gave each happy child their due, hearing each one's secret wish-list of Christmas presents. And yes, 95 percent of them want a Nintendo DSi.

Massapequa Mayor James Altadonna said the holiday open house was just another way the Village of Massapequa Park ties together its citizens into one big family.

"It's just another part of out community spirit week," he said. "We do this on an annual basis, and people gather, meet old friends and new friends, we got to listen to all the community choirs, and it's just a wonderful day to kick off the holiday spirit."

Altadonna said that the open house was all about bringing joy to the youngsters of the community.

"We have donations downstairs from local businesses, where children can go down and receive small gifts" he said. "The culmination comes with meeting Santa, and listening to the music from the children."

Jenna Dillon always makes sure she attends the open house.

"It's just such a great way to kick off the holiday season," she said. "It's nice when the village you live in makes the effort to being people together like this."

In the basement of the village hall, a Christmas tree was in the center of a ring of tables, all filled with fun trinkets and treats, such as small toys, noise makers, and stickers. As they entered the room, kids were given a small plastic bag and full license to go to town.

Roseann Vainder, the Director of the Massapequa Park senior center, led her ladies in handing out the goodies to the excited children.

"We're all volunteers for the holiday open house party," she said. "The village buys all the stuff for the children...even though they're small items, they get such a kick out of it, because it's sort of like a glorified Halloween trick-or-treat."

"We help out here every year, for the past ten years," Vainder added. "We love the community, we love area, we love our village, the people...we just love it."

Famous children's characters such as Elmo and Dora the Explorer took time out of their busy schedules to schmooze with the children of Massapequa, giving out hugs and posing for photographs.

Not to be outdone by his celebrity cohorts, Tin Can the clown was also on hand, churning out delightful balloon sculptures for a near-endless line of kids.

"For Thanksgiving I was clowning down at Stewart Manor [country club], for the homeless," he said. "I do a lot of volunteer work."

Upstairs, Gina Aspetti, a music teacher at , let her Hand Bell Choir though several nostalgic Christmas tunes for the assembled crowd.

"We came to celebrate the holidays with everybody," she said. "We were invited to come...they call us every year, and we always come. This is our fifth year doing this."

Marjorie Spagnuolo and her orchestra delivered beautiful string renditions of many yuletide classics.

"We started a string quartet this year specifically for small venues when students would have an opportunity to perform," she said. "[Deputy Village Clerk] Linda Tuminello called and asked if we had a group that would perform that wasn't too big - you know, not the whole orchestra - and seven of our eight quartet members were able to make it today."

Martha Sceurman was attending the event with her young daughter.

"She really wanted to come," she said. "Not that I need much of an excuse...listening to the children from the various schools play Christmas classics is always wonderful."

Sceurman's daughter, Beth, echoed the sentiments of many of the children present that day.

"I like the presents," she said. "My favorite is the kazoo...I think."