Island lights twinkle for Santa

There was a nip in the air and everyone was smiling as Santa arrived on his traditional island transport a bright red fire truck to match his suit.

Numbers were down for this year’s St. George Island visit from St. Nick. Fewer than 150 children came to share their wishes with the old elf and each receives a goodie bag full of candy and fruit courtesy of island merchants.

Cookies and cocoa were available for a small contribution and a bevy of calendar girls was on hand to autograph Franklin Need’s latest fundraising effort.

In what has become a charming tradition, the girls of Scout Troop 200 serenaded the crowd with Christmas carols before joining the scramble to sit on Santa’s knee.

Everyone was in high spirits when the lights popped on at dark-thirty illuminating the palms and the stately lighthouse keeping watch over the island.