Ansonia area children attend Santa’s Breakfast

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Little Hadley Burnfield didn't have a problem when she sat on Santa's lap like some children do. In fact, it looks like she was fascinated with his beard. (Linda Moody photo)

ANSONIA—Despite a nearly three-hour power outage Saturday morning, the Breakfast With Santa went off without a hitch at the Ansonia American Legion.

“We had roughly 160 children,” said Betty Burnfield, organizer of the annual event. “I am very pleased with the turnout. We always have a big crowd.”

Police Chief Frank Shapiro gets ready to fill another skillet full of scrambled eggs, (Linda Moody photo)

She continued, “The power outage didn’t stop us. With the awesome generator the Ansonia American Legion has, we ran as normal. Honestly, I am not even sure when the power was restored. With the power outage. and me not having services at the Legion, my phone didn’t work. Once I hooked to Hotspot, my phone was going crazy with messages to see if the breakfast was still on. I tried to answer everyone back and made a Facebook post that it was still on as scheduled.”

The power went out as soon as she got to the Legion at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, but noted that once the generator was put to use, everything ran fine as scheduled.

Other workers in the kitchen slaving over hot stove tops are Chris Clark, Ansonia Fire Chief Chris Widener and Cory Meadows. Mark Mayo was another helper there. (Linda Moody photo)

“Once they learned we would still have it, kids came in all at once,” Betty remarked. Pancakes, eggs, sausage and juice, or coffee was prepared for the breakfast with helpers working hard to get the guests fed. Helpers in the kitchen were Mayor Teddy Adkins, Police Chief Frank Shapiro, and firefighters, Chief Chris Widener, Lt. Cory Meadows and Mark Mayo and Chris Clark.

“Betty Burnfield does all the work prior to and during the event, we just cook for her,” Meadows said.

Connie Stachler was just one of the adults who sat on Santa’s lap as her granddaughter stands by. Stachler claims she went to school with Santa’s brother. (Linda Moody photo)

After the meal, the children had the opportunity to head up toward Santa and his elf at the Christmas tree. Each child was presented with a bag of goodies and had the opportunity to select a gift they chose on a table nearby.

Betty is appreciative of not only the kitchen workers’ help, but  she extends appreciation also to Nathan Burnfield, Breanna Burnfield, Cody Burnfield, Hope Burnfield, Missy Widener, Kayla May Widener, Santa‘s Helper (Jeff Stump) and his wife, Candy Stump, Troy Kammer and his sound equipment, Angie Anderson Minnich, Lisa Heck, Sloane Gariety, Iretha Campbell and Lawrence Johnston.

This is the first Breakfast with Santa in two years, since it was canceled in 2020 because of COVID and last year, because of Betty’s health issues.

Finishing up their breakfast at the American Legion while their children were elsewhere in the building were Jene and Quenton Riffell.(Linda Moody photo)

She has been involved in the program for many years, but took over in 2010 after the death of Police Chief Larry Hoffman.