A Christmas program for the ages

The Wantagh High School Vocal Jazz group performed a medley of holiday songs at the Wantagh Preservation Society’s open house on Dec. 14 at its museum on Wantagh Ave.

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Matthew McCoy, 10, in slightly out-of-season clothing, visited Santa in the historic train car during the Wantagh Preservation Society’s holiday open house on Dec. 14.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Mya Cocchiola, 11, and sisters Emma, 6, and Julia, 8, visited Santa.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Brian Curry gave his 4-year-old daughter Hannah a bird’s eye view of the performers.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Ryan and Maeve McGlade, both 7, of Wantagh, enjoyed hot chocolate.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Preservation Society Trustees Elaine Yarris and Cookie Reisert had help from volunteers Michael Badagliacca, Jenna Coscia and Hannah Fay, all 12, in serving treats to visitors.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Wantagh High School orchestra students were among the day’s entertainers.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Lauren Kelly, 1, of Wantagh, met Santa for the first time.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Santa received many visitors on Dec. 14, including Nikolas Boiko, 7, Chase Cates, 7, and Samuel Boiko, 9.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Sean Coppola, 4, met Santa.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Thomas Dafnos, 12, handed out gifts to all of the visitors.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Karen and Gillian Chowske with Santa.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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Santa usually arrives in town by sleigh, but on Dec. 14, he came to Wantagh by train. St. Nick greeted children in the historic train car off Wantagh Avenue at the Preservation Society’s annual holiday open house.

Children lined up to see Santa to get their requests in for Christmas. Every visitor received a candy cane and a pencil. Outside, there was cookies and hot chocolate provided by members of Wantagh Preservation Society.

In the museum, an orchestra group from Wantagh High School, who dubbed themselves “Santa’s Helpers,” performed under the direction of Dina Langer. Later on, the high school Vocal Jazz group sang a selection of holiday songs on the front lawn, as they were led by student conductor Shayna Held.

Karen Chowske, the incoming president of the Preservation Society, said she was pleased with turnout and credited it to clear skies and slightly above normal temperatures. “I love to see people from the community come out,” she said, “and I love to see the kids when they see Santa.”

The event was free but donations were accepted to support the museum, which houses historical photos and artifacts from Wantagh.

“So many people don’t even know that it’s open,” she said. “It’s a museum about Wantagh. There’s a lot of cool pictures in there and some places exist to this day.”