Christmas spirit shines bright in Sebastopol’s north end

Rence Dietrich smiles alongside his mom, Jordanna Dietrich, and younger brother, Kasey Dietrich. Dad Scott Dietrich was busy at either the corn harvest or in the family’s laying-hen barn, where Grade A eggs are produced — a favourite place for the boys to visit when they get the chance to help gather eggs with their mom. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Families in the south end of Sebastopol, just outside Tavistock, are getting ready for the real Santa Claus – and for Rence and Kasey Dietrich, the excitement has already begun.

Rence, who is three, and his 11-month-old brother Kasey were thrilled when their uncles, Bob and Glen Dietrich, pulled a life-sized Santa out of storage for the first time in 30 years. Their mom, Jordanna, said the boys could hardly contain themselves when the familiar figure appeared beside their home.

“Their late grandpa, Larry Dietrich, helped make this life-sized Santa,” Jordanna Dietrich said, “and he would have been so proud to see his grandsons enjoying it.”

Their Nanna, Linda Dietrich, was just as delighted to see the old Santa back on display.

The boys’ excitement comes as Tavistock prepares for this Saturday’s Men’s Club Santa Claus Parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Rence and Kasey waved enthusiastically as I left – proof that Christmas still brings that warm feeling to young families and gives area children something special to look forward to.