Santa Claus found himself unexpectedly playing second fiddle at Norridge’s holiday open house and tree lighting Saturday when Norridge Park District Board Commissioner Jack Bielak seized the spotlight.
Holding a small black box with a large diamond solitaire ring inside, Bielak, 24, dropped to one knee and proposed to Paula Stepaniuk, also 24, as Santa Claus and dozens of holiday revelers looked on and applauded and cheered.
“I saw the box and knew something was up,” Stepaniuk said after quickly accepting Bielak’s proposal. “I was in total shock when he went down on one knee.”
Bielak said he decided to propose at the village’s annual Christmas season kickoff because he is very involved in village activities and loves Christmas.
Village President Jim Chmura said he has hosted the event for the five years that he has led Norridge in an effort to bring families together in a village that prides itself on being a haven for families.
“There’s no politics,” Chmura said as Santa heard whispered pleas for a basketball from Nathan Flores, 8, and an art table from his 5-year-old sister, Madelyn. “It is all about Christmas and the little ones.”
The Salvation Army Band performed while a long line snaked toward Santa, who held court in the village boardroom, which had been transformed into the North Pole with decorations and a coloring station for children.
Santa arrived to the event organized by Kathy Gaseor, an executive assistant at the village of Norridge.
Before getting in line to see Santa, Gloria Nowicki and her daughter, Emily, dropped off donations of food and toys.
“It is important for everyone to think of others at Christmas,” Nowicki said. “It can’t just be about getting. It has to be about giving, too.”
Members of the Norridge Public Works Department helped make sure the line for Santa moved smoothly — and that no one flipped the switch before the man in red gave the nod of his button nose.
Chmura said he expected about 200 people to attend the open house at 4000 N. Olcott Ave, which included several Christmas-themed craft activities and temporary tattoos as well as a cookie-and-hot chocolate station to ward off the chill.
“We’re trying to build community spirit,” said Chmura, who was joined by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, at the 90-minute event. “Too many times, families can’t afford to see Santa anywhere else.”
Chmura and Santa — having reclaimed the spotlight — joined the Pennoyer School Choir for a holiday song singalong before heading outside and throwing the switch to light up the village’s buildings and Christmas trees, officially starting the holiday season.
Heather Cherone is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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