Middlefield – The Grinch and his dog Max arrived in Middlefield yesterday with one thing on his mind to “steal Christmas”. Throughout the day, he arrived at area businesses stealing Christmas gifts purchased by the community to be donated to Santa’s Hide-A-Way Hollow. Santa’s Hide –A-Way Hollow is an organization that makes a memorable Christmas for those with seriously and terminally ill children and their families.
The Grinch and Max would arrive at all the businesses that had a toy collection box, find it and swipe a toy. He would occasionally stop for a photo op or two along the way. At noon, he stopped at the Middlefield Public Library, where he was greeted by a standing room only crowd, a crowd that had children hoisted on shoulders of parents, and on top of book cases just to catch a glimpse of the Grinch. He put his “grinchy ways” aside, to stop and read his story to the kids. He also took time out to sign books provided for the kids by Friends of the Library. Max even signed them too. When they ran out of books, he posed for photos with the kids. That’s when one noticed he was slowly slipping back to his “grinchy ways” as he was caught saying, “I love children, well done!” Then as he made his quick escape from the library, he went back to being “grinchy” and snatched a gift from Library Manager Rachel Hartman’s hands; off he went.
The Grinch and Max continued snatching gifts from the area’s toy collection boxes most of the day. He ended his escapades at Great Lakes Outdoor Supply. There, he was greeted by a jam-packed house of fans waiting for the dramatic performance of his story. He saw the error of his ways and returned all the gifts he stole so the kids would have a Merry Christmas. He also took time out to pose with Max for pictures with the kids.
The day’s events also included some carol singing by the Cardinaires at the Great Lakes Outdoor Supply and a visit with Santa. The festivities were capped off by a firework display, courtesy of Middlefield Village and Great Lakes Outdoor Supply.
The Grinch and Max’s visit was a Middlefield Chamber of Commerce Event
