The Children's Center & Graylyn Share a Holiday Tradition

For more than 20 years, the Children’s Center and Graylyn International Conference Center have had a holiday tradition: One morning during the holiday season, everyone at the Children’s Center, which shares the Graylyn estate with the conference center, heads over for a sing-along – and a holiday cookie or two.

“It’s something our staff looks forward to each year,” said Tracy Geiger, Graylyn’s corporate account manager.

“Seeing the smiles that come over their faces is amazing,” said Becky Currin, the sales and catering manager.

Graylyn goes all out with staff members serving the children from silver trays and Santa stopping by for a visit. This year, the children and adults at the Children’s Center made their visit on Friday morning. After coming through the main entrance, many of the children stopped by the elaborate gingerbread house that Graylyn set up at the foot of the stairs before heading to the sitting room where everyone was gathering. There, long-time volunteer Ed Locke played holiday songs on the piano while everyone found a place to be.

Mike Britt is the executive director of The Centers for Exceptional Children, which includes the Children’s Center and the Special Children’s School, and, once everyone had gathered, he thanked the people at Graylyn and said, “It is wonderful to be back here for one of our absolutely favorite traditions.”

Ian Hargis, the music teacher, then led the children in lively songs with such lines as “Christmas makes me smile” and “I want to be an elf.” After that, the staff at Graylyn circulated with silver trays laden with cookies.

One of the bonuses of the annual experience, said Principal Carol Kirby, is having everyone from the school in the same room at the same time, something that doesn’t happen in the day-to-day of the school.

“It’s like a family gathering,” Kirby said. “It’s rare that we can do that. It’s really special.”

Santa, portrayed by Curtis Largen, came. Hands shot into the air when he said, “Who would like a gift from Santa?” He gave each child a small stuffed elf.

Kay Sages, who has been volunteering at the school for three years, said she savors every day spends with the children. “We have the best kids in the whole world,” Sages said. “Everyone is beautiful.”